THE BEST INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE OF EACH SQUAD IN 2023

Against a Braves team that would go on to score the most runs in the Major Leagues (947), tie the MLB record for home runs (307) in a season, and dominate the field in general, Bassitt pitched a brilliant complete game, allowing only two hits while striking out eight. It was one of just 20 shutouts in 2023 in the Majors (not counting games with shorter schedules).

Honorable mention: Kevin Gausman, April 29 vs. SEA (7 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 13 K)

Orioles: Ryan Mountcastle
April 11 vs. OAK (3-for-4, 2 HR, 9 RBI)

Early in April, Mountcastle tied a franchise record set by Jim Gentile in 1961 and matched by Eddie Murray in 1985 with his nine runs batted in against the A’s. The O’s overcame a four-run deficit to win 12-8, and seven of those RBIs came from two clutch home runs, a grand slam in the seventh and a three-run drive in the fifth.

Rays: Tyler Glasnow
Sept. 6 vs. BOS (6 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 14 K)

In what turned out to be one of his last home starts with the Rays before an offseason trade to the Dodgers, Glasnow crushed the Red Sox. In the commanding performance, the right-hander struck out 14 of the 22 batters he saw, tying a career high and falling one strike short of the team record for the most strikeouts in a single game set by Chris Archer and James Shields.

Honorable mention: Taylor Walls, April 18 at CIN (4-for-5, 3B, 2 HR, 4 RBI)

Red Sox: Adam Duvall
April 1 vs. BAL (4-for-5, 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 5 RBI)

In the Red Sox’s season-opening victory over the Orioles, Ryan McKenna of Baltimore lost a routine fly ball that would have finished the game, but Duvall came through with a walk-off, two-run home smash. Duvall drove in five of Boston’s nine runs in a one-run triumph, finishing the day with four extra-base hits. It was the first time a player had a double, triple, and multiple home runs in a game since Carlos Beltrán in 2012.

Honorable mention: Nick Pivetta, July 17 at OAK (6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 13 K in relief)

Yankees: Aaron Judge
Sept. 22 vs. AZ (4-for-4, 2B, 3 HR, 6 RBI)

To record his first career three-home run performance, Judge required 801 games. On August 23, he at last accomplished it against the Nationals, going 3-for-4 with six RBIs in a 9-1 victory. In a victory over the eventual NL champions, he recorded his second one month later, totaling four hits and driving in six of New York’s seven runs.

Honorable mention: Domingo Germán, June 18 at OAK (9 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 K — perfect game)

AL CENTRAL

Guardians: Josh Naylor
May 31 at BAL (4-for-5, 2 2B, HR, 6 RBI)

Naylor went 4-for-5 with three crucial extra-base singles in three innings, helping the Guardians pull off a thrilling victory in Baltimore on May 31. In the third inning, he doubled and scored; in the fourth, he tied the game at five runs; and in the fifth, he hit a bases-clearing double to put Cleveland ahead for good. To finish off an amazing day, Naylor added a single in the seventh inning.

Honorable mention: José Ramírez, June 8 vs. BOS (3-for-5, 3 HR, 5 RBI)

Royals: Bobby Witt Jr.
July 28 vs. MIN (4-for-5, 2B, HR, 6 RBI)

Witt had four games in 2023 with four hits apiece, but his most memorable was perhaps his late-July performance at Kauffman Stadium against the Twins. Witt made it clear who won it for the Royals in the 10th inning with a walk-off grand slam off Jhoan Duran after having a two-run home run against Sonny Gray reversed to a double on review. (He went on to score four runs in five the next evening.)

Honorable mention: Witt, May 26 vs. WSH (4-for-5, 1 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI)

Tigers: Eduardo Rodriguez
May 4 vs. NYM (8 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 9 K)

During eight innings, Rodriguez shut out the Mets, allowing the Tigers to complete a three-game sweep at Comerica Park. In a dominating outing, the southpaw struck out two batters each for Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, and Tommy Pham, totaling nine strikeouts and walked just one. It was the best performance of Rodriguez’s career by game score (86).

Honorable mention: Rodriguez, April 18 vs. CLE (8 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 10 K)

Twins: Pablo López
July 5 vs. KC (9 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 12 K)

López, who was traded to the Twins for Luis Arraez by the Marlins, proved his value in his debut season. Among his finest performances were this commanding shutout of Kansas City in July and an eight-inning, 14-strikeout game in a Sept. 10 defeat to the Mets. In 2023, López had the most strikeouts in a shutout with 12, helping Minnesota to a 5-0 victory.

Honorable mention: Royce Lewis, AL Wild Card Series Game 1 vs. TOR (2-for-3, BB, 2 HR, 3 RBI)

White Sox: Michael Kopech
May 19 vs. KC (8 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 10 K)

Against the Royals, Kopech put on the longest outing of his career in a commanding performance. The White Sox right-hander Michael Massey singled in the sixth inning of his eight-inning shutout against Chicago’s division foe on May 19 at Guaranteed Rate Field. In the first game of a three-game series that the White Sox would go on to sweep, Kopech struck out seven starters for Kansas City at least once, leading the South Siders to a 2-0 victory.

Honorable mention: Luis Robert Jr., April 7 at PIT (3-for-5, 2 HR, 5 RBI)

AL WEST

Angels: Shohei Ohtani
June 27 vs. CWS (6.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 10 K as pitcher, 2 HR as hitter)

Ohtani’s most memorable single-day performance occurred on July 27, in Detroit, where the two-way sensation shut out the first game of a doubleheader then blasted two home runs in the second game. However, Ohtani’s performance against the White Sox on June 27 was his best in a single game. Ohtani, pitching in front of his home fans in Anaheim, struck out ten batters in six and a third innings while giving up just one run while launching two home runs off the bat. The Angels won 4-2 because to Ohtani’s outstanding effort.

Honorable mention: Ohtani, July 27 at DET (9 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 8 K)

Astros: Framber Valdez
Aug. 1 vs. CLE (9 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 7 K)

As he faced the minimum 27 batters in a no-hitter against the Guardians, Valdez was almost flawless, walking just one and making history as the first Astros pitcher to do so. With just 93 pitches in a no-hitter, the left-hander struck out seven Cleveland hitters, forced 12 ground balls, and threw the third fewest in the history of pitch counts, which began in 1988. What made this no-hitter even more remarkable was that it occurred just a few hours after the Astros acquired Justin Verlander again.

Honorable mention: Jose Altuve, Sept. 5 at TEX (3-for-5, 3 HR, 3 RBI)

Athletics: Jace Peterson
June 6 at PIT (5-for-5, 2 HR, 5 RBI)

After being traded to the D-backs in the middle of the season, Peterson had an incredible year that included his finest game ever and an appearance in the World Series. Before that trade, Peterson had a fantastic outing in Pittsburgh, hitting.284 with two home runs and five RBIs in five plate appearances. As the only players in franchise history to go 5-for-5, homer twice, and drive in five runs in a single game, Peterson joined Hall of Famer Al Simmons in this feat.

Honorable mention: Jordan Diaz, May 9 at NYY (3-for-4, 3 HR, 4 RBI)

Mariners: Julio Rodríguez
Aug. 17 at KC (5-for-5, 2B, HR, 5 RBI)

J-Rod had his best game during the most successful phase of his early career. Between August 16 and 19, Seattle’s superstar amassed 17 hits in four games, setting an AL/NL record. Rodríguez had the game of his life in the second of those two games, recording his first five-hit outing in the Majors, scoring five runs, and blasting a game-winning three-run home drive in the eighth inning.

Honorable mention: George Kirby, Aug. 12 vs. BAL (9 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K)

Rangers: Adolis García
ALDS Game 7 at HOU (4-for-5, 2 HR, 5 RBI)

García led the Rangers to their first World Series victory with two of the greatest postseason runs in MLB history. García’s greatest moment came in Game 7 of the ALCS against the Rangers’ divisional and in-state rival Astros, but his walk-off home run against Arizona in Game 1 of the World Series was still his best moment. With four hits and two home runs in Game 7, García helped seal the Rangers’ AL title after home runs in the previous three games and the thrilling Game 5 encounter.

Honorable mention: García, April 22 vs. OAK (5-for-6, 2 2B, 3 HR, 8 RBI)

NATIONAL LEAGUE EAST

Braves: Ronald Acuña Jr.
Aug. 28 at COL (4-for-5, 2B, HR, 5 RBI, 2 SB)

This amazing all-around performance showcased all of Acuña’s offensive skills, and it happened right when Dodgers star Mookie Betts’ NL MVP campaign was beginning to get some momentum. Acuña had MLB’s first 40-homer, 70-steal campaign and unanimously won NL MVP after hitting.368 with 13 home runs, 14 thefts, and a 1.165 OPS from this game through the completion of the regular season.

Honorable mention: Matt Olson, June 30 vs. MIA (4-for-5, 3B, 2 HR, 5 RBI)

Marlins: Luis Arraez
April 11 at PHI (4-for-5, 2B, 3B, HR, 2 RBI)

From the beginning, Arraez made it apparent that his debut season with the Marlins would be unforgettable. Over his first 12 games, the second baseman went 22 for 41 (.537 average), highlighted by the first cycle in Marlins history on April 11 against the Phillies. Out of all 30 MLB teams, the Marlins were the only team without a cycle before Arraez’s spectacular effort.

Honorable mention: Arraez, June 3 vs. OAK (5-for-5, 3 2B, 5 RBI)

Mets: Francisco Lindor
July 6 at AZ (5-for-5, 2 3B, HR)

The Mets’ unsatisfactory 2023 season largely overshadowed Lindor’s outstanding performance. Over 160 games, the seasoned shortstop finished with 6.0 WAR (according to Baseball-Reference), logging 31 home runs, 31 steals, and 98 RBIs in addition to playing excellent defense. His best outing of the year was in Phoenix, where he became just the fifth player in the Modern Era (since 1900) to record multiple triples in a five-hit game in addition to a home run.

Honorable mention: Pete Alonso, Aug. 7 vs. CHC (3-for-4, 2 HR, 6 RBI)

Nationals: Luis García
May 26 at KC (6-for-6, 2 2B, 2 RBI)

In 2023, García was the only player to record a six-hit game. He did so in Washington’s 12-10 victory over the Royals, going 6-for-6 with two RBIs and three runs scored. With his six hits in a game, he became just the third player in Expos/Nationals history to achieve so, after Anthony Rendon (2017) and Rondell White (1995).

Honorable mention: CJ Abrams, Aug. 6 at CIN (4-for-5, 2B, HR, 2 SB)

Phillies: Michael Lorenzen
Aug. 9 vs. WSH (9 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 5 K)

Having been moved from Detroit to Philadelphia at the Trade Deadline, Lorenzen was making just his second start when he recorded the 14th no-hitter in Phillies history, leaving a lasting impression on the team. Since Cole Hamels twirled one against the Cubs at Wrigley Field on July 25, 2015, his penultimate start with the team before being traded to the Rangers, it was the team’s first no-no.

Honorable mention: Alec Bohm, July 1 vs. WSH (4-for-5, 2 HR, 6 RBI)

NL CENTRAL

Brewers: Corbin Burnes
Sept. 10 at NYY (8 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 K)

Burnes was virtually unhittable for the first eight innings of a legendary battle at Yankee Stadium with Gerrit Cole. He pitched ten innings in the Bronx, striking out seven Yankees and walking only two as the Brewers, unable to score, accepted a no-hit bid. Although Burnes’ effort shouldn’t be forgotten, the Yankees stopped the streak in the 11th inning with a double off Joel Payamps and eventually ended up walking off the field in the 13th.

Honorable mention: Sal Frelick, July 22 vs. ATL (3-for-3, 2 RBI, multiple highlight-reel catches in MLB debut)

Cardinals: Paul Goldschmidt
May 7 vs. DET (4-for-5, 3 HR, SB)

On May 7 at Busch Stadium, Goldschmidt destroyed the Tigers by launching single home runs in the first and third innings and a two-run rocket in the eighth. In addition, he completed a double steal of third base in the sixth inning, making him the only player in 2023 with three home runs and at least one swipe. In the game, Goldschmidt recorded his third career three-home run game—a feat just 17 other players in AL/NL history have accomplished.

Honorable mention: Miles Mikolas, May 30 vs. KC (8 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 10 K)

Cubs: Marcus Stroman
May 29 vs. TB (9 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K)

The Rays had a 39-16 record going into this late-May game at Wrigley Field, but Stroman was too strong for them. With eight strikeouts in the seventh inning, the right-hander carried a no-no bid into the seventh inning and pitched a one-hit shutout of Tampa Bay. Since Jake Arrieta (98) in his no-hitter against the Dodgers in 2015, Stroman’s game score of 92 is tied for the highest by a Cubs pitcher.

Honorable mention: Ian Happ, April 14 at LAD (4-for-4, BB, 2 2B, HR, 3 RBI, SB)

Pirates: Carlos Santana
July 24 at SD (3-for-4, 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, BB)

“Slamtana” had a fantastic all-around effort at the plate to lead the Pirates to an 8-4 victory over the Padres in July at Petco Park. In addition to his two two-run home runs off Yu Darvish, the seasoned first baseman also added a walk and a double to his successful evening. Santana was traded to the division-rival Brewers three days after his spectacular performance.

Honorable mention: Mitch Keller, May 8 vs. COL (9 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 K)

Reds: Elly De La Cruz
June 23 vs. ATL (4-for-5, 2B, 3B, HR, 4 RBI, SB)

The explosive De La Cruz hit for the Reds’ first cycle since Eric Davis in 1989 in just his 15th professional game. The Reds defeated the Braves 11–10 in a historic game that saw the rookie infielder smash a double, a two-run home run, an RBI single, and an RBI triple. With his incredible performance that night, De La Cruz’s career was off to a scorching start, and he was hitting.361 with an OPS of 1.074.

Honorable mention: Andrew Abbott, July 20 vs. SF (8 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 K)

NL WEST

D-backs: Zac Gallen
Sept. 8 at CHC (9 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 BB, 9 K)

Gallen’s breakthrough performance occurred in a crucial game against another NL Wild Card candidate in a season in which he placed third in the vote for the NL Cy Young Award. Gallen spun out nine batters in a 1-0 victory for the D-backs, who were playing the Cubs for one of the three Wild Card positions. It’s simple to attribute Arizona’s postseason berth and unforgettable journey to the World Series on Gallen’s outstanding performance, given that the D-backs and Cubs are separated by just one game for the last Wild Card spot at the end of the season.

Honorable mention: Christian Walker, July 18 at ATL (3-for-5, BB, 2 HR, 5 RBI, SB)

Dodgers: Trayce Thompson
April 1 vs. AZ (3 HR, 8 RBI)

Against the division-rival D-backs in the Dodgers’ third game of the season, Thompson had an absolutely outstanding game. After having a stellar 2022 season with the Dodgers, Thompson opened the April 1 game and went on to hit three home runs and drive in eight more. Thompson was the most impressive player on a Dodgers squad that included superstars like Freddie Freeman, Clayton Kershaw, and Mookie Betts. He became just the third player in Dodgers history to have three home runs and eight RBIs in a single game, behind Adrián González (2016) and Gil Hodges (1950).

Honorable mention: Mookie Betts, June 2 vs. NYY (4-for-4, BB, 2 HR, 3 RBI, SB)

Giants: Alex Cobb
Aug. 29 vs. CIN (9 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 8 K)

The seasoned right-hander was one pitch away from recording the Giants’ 18th no-hitter ever. Cobb had a fantastic outing, the greatest of his career, despite being the latest pitcher to lose a no-hitter on the very last out. With a career-high 131 pitches thrown, Cobb held the Giants in the running for a postseason spot despite giving up a run and a walk in the ninth inning.

Honorable mention: Logan Webb, July 9 vs. COL (9 IP, 7 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 10 K)

Padres: Fernando Tatis Jr.
June 14 vs. CLE (3-for-4, BB, 2 2B, HR, 2 SB, OF assist)

On June 14, Tatis, one of baseball’s most dynamic all-around players, showed off his skill set in San Diego. With a home run, three extra-base hits, two runs scored, two stolen bases, a walk, and an outfield assist in the same game, Tatis became the first AL/NL player in the Modern Era (since 1900). The five-tool superstar opened the game with a solo home run and closed it in the ninth inning with an outfield assist.

Highly commended: Seth Lugo, September 26 at SF 8.2 BB, 7 K, 3 H, 0 R, and 3 IP

Rockies: C.J. Cron
March 30 at SD (4-for-5, 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI)

Cron didn’t take long to deliver the best individual performance of 2023 for the Rockies. Cron hammered two home runs, collected four hits, and drove in five runs on Opening Day in San Diego. In doing so, he became the first player since Dmitri Young of the Tigers in 2005 to record that stat line on Opening Day, and only the eighth player in AL/NL history to do so.

Honorable mention: Brenton Doyle, May 15 vs. CIN (3-for-4, 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI)