21. Francisco Lindor, Cleveland Indians, 75.6 mph
Lindor’s 90.2 mph exit velocity marked his first season above 90 mph. He’s generally measured in the low-mid 88s. The results showed up in his .290 extra-base hit average, among the top seven percent in the American League.
That, of course, was hardly the extent of Lindor’s production. He hit. 277, but added a .352 on-base average and .519 slugging average. He ranked among the top five in most offensive categories, no big surprise given his sixth place status in the Most Valuable Player voting.
He was an All-Star for the third straight season.
Francisco Lindor did strike out 107 times, but that came in a league-leading 745 official at-bats, contributing to an 86 percent strikeout rate. That’s typically good plate discipline for him, and exceptional discipline for a player only now entering his age-25 season. Plate discipline is frequently a learned skill.
Lindor’s star status suggests it would not be a surprise if he moved even farther up on this list in future seasons. His immediate challenge, though, will be to invigorate an Indians offense that appears relatively anemic in comparison with its more highly respected pitching staff. Toward that end, he’ll have the assistance of a teammate who occupies a higher position on this list.