J.T. Realmuto (PHI): 4-4, 2B, 3B, HR, 3 R, 3 RBI, BB.

Keeping it Realmuto

I want to take this time to appreciate the value of J.T. Realmuto. It is something that cannot be overemphasized. To have a catcher that is elite behind the dish and can consistently be a well above-average hitter is a rare commodity in MLB. Realmuto is in the 100th percentile in framing amongst qualifying catchers in 2023, and he simultaneously leads all catchers in doubles this season, as well. Furthermore, he has either led or come in second in catcher OPS every single season since 2018.

Like many members of the Phillies’ lineup, Realmuto has had a couple of relatively cold months at the plate. On Monday, however, Realmuto was all heat. The catcher hit for the cycle, reached base in all five of his plate appearances, knocked in three runs, and scored three times. His double and triple, both of which sailed to the left-center wall, each left the righty’s bat at 108 mph.

With Bryce Harper getting healthier by the day, Trea Turner finally settling into his new city, and Kyle Schwarber heating up due to it being the month of June, the outlook for the Phillies’ lineup looks promising. Despite scoring eight runs, the team still managed to lose the game. The Phillies currently sit just ahead of a handful of last-place teams in team ERA for the season. The lineup will continue to progress on its own as summer approaches, but in order for that to matter, Dave Dombrowski will need to externally improve the pitching staff.

Let’s see how the other hitters did Monday:

Leody Taveras (TEX): 3-5, 2B, BB, SB.

It does not get much better than your nine-hitter slashing .302/.364/.469. Leody Taveras has done just that for the Rangers this season along with 18 extra-base hits. Monday was no exception to the center fielder’s exceptional season. Taveras’ second-inning double off Tyler Anderson left his bat at 105.4 mph and his 12th-inning single off Aaron Loup left his bat at 99 mph.

TJ Friedl (CIN): 2-5, 2 2B, 2 R, RBI.

TJ Friedl is off to a stellar first couple of months to the season as the Reds’ leadoff man. The lefty is slashing .316/.363/.490. On Monday, Fridl’s sixth-inning RBI double off of Zack Greinke kept the Reds within reach of the Royals to eventually tie the game and win it in extras. The glaring problem, however, is his BABIP. He has an unsustainable .383 BABIP this season and has failed to consistently hit the ball hard.

Shea Langeliers (OAK): 1-3, 2B, R, 3 RBI.

The Oakland A’s are on a six-game winning streak; this is not a drill. A three-run double from Shea Langeliers and an RBI knock by Ryan Noda was enough to knock out Zach Eflin before he could complete his fifth frame. From there, Oakland’s pitching held on to secure the win against baseball’s best team. Langeliers’ double left his bat at 108.3 mph and sailed to the wall in left-center field, allowing plenty of time for the bases to clear.

Shohei Ohtani (LAA): 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 4 RBI, BB.

No big deal but Shohei Ohtani just hit the major league 20th home run last night. That two-run home run came in the 12th inning to break the tie. That home run, however, was only made possible by Ohtani’s first home run of the game, which was an absolute rocket that traveled 459 feet to tie the game in the seventh inning.

Paul DeJong (STL): 2-4, HR, R, RBI.

For someone in the 90th percentile of outs above average at a premium position, Paul DeJong has been solid at the plate this year. The shortstop’s on-base percentage is back up from last year, and he has lowered his strikeout rate to a more comfortable place. DeJong’s home run on Monday came in the fifth inning off of Logan Webb and sailed 378 feet into the left-field stands.

Ty France (SEA): 1-4, HR, R, 3 RBI.

With much of Seattle’s lineup struggling so far, Ty France has been one of the best hitters for the team. On Monday, he smashed a three-run blast off Jesús Luzardo in the second inning that traveled 420 feet. That was his sixth home run of the year and he is slashing .283/.351/.438. The home run extended France’s hitting streak to eight games and he has just one hitless game this month.

Michael Harris II (ATL): 3-4, HR, 2 R, RBI, SB.

The former NL Rookie of the Year has not looked like himself at the plate this year. On Monday, however, Michael Harris II had himself a well-needed big night. The outfielder collected four hard-hit balls throughout the night and smoked a solo home run into the right field seats in the eighth inning.

Andy Ibáñez (DET): 3-4, 2B, HR, 2 R, RBI, BB.

The Tigers fell behind Atlanta early on Monday night and were down 4-0 at the end of six innings. After getting on base twice already, Andy Ibáñez socked a solo home run off Collin McHugh in the seventh inning to put Detroit on the board. Later, in the bottom of the 10th inning, Ibanez scored the winning run, bringing an end to the Tigers’ nine-game skid. Ibanez’s home run left his bat at 105.4 mph and he came within a triple of the cycle.

Spencer Torkelson (DET): 3-6, HR, R, 3 RBI.

Spencer Torkelson recorded the Tigers’ first hit of the game, brought the Tigers within one run of Atlanta in the ninth, and hit a walk-off single in the 10th inning. The first baseman’s home run, which was his sixth of the year, came off of Raisel Iglesias and left his bat at 106.8 mph. The former first-overall pick is no superstar yet, but he has shown significant improvement in his expected and peripheral statistics, so it is reasonable to expect his traditional numbers to soon catch up.

Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)