Call to the pen
Fansided

MLB Players Power Rankings: Top 10 Hitters of the First Half

By Manny Gómez

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 24: Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a RBI double against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on June 24, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - JUNE 24: Cody Bellinger #35 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a RBI double against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning of the MLB game at Chase Field on June 24, 2019 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 6
Next
MLB Players Power Rankings (5): Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs
(Photo by Mark Alberti/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

MLB Players Power Rankings (5): Kris Bryant, Chicago Cubs

First Half Stats: 0.552 SLG | 0.400 wOBA | 148 wRC+ | 3.7 fWAR

In many ways, Kris Bryant is having one of baseball’s quietest seasons. To start the year, Bryant struggled mightily at the plate. Yet, somehow, he has managed to put together one of the best offensive performances this season.

With the Chicago Cubs lacking consistency, there seems to be a chance that the team could miss the postseason for the first time since 2014. It would be the first time in Bryant’s career that the team misses the playoffs.

If nothing more, the NL Central is by far MLB’s closest division. Especially considering that all teams are within 4.5 games (3.0 in the loss column) of the division lead.

This season, the former NL MVP and Rookie of the Year is posting career highs in AVG (.297) and OPS (.955). With 17 home runs through 85 games this season, Bryant is on pace to hit 30 home runs, making it the first time he hits 30 or more homers in a season since 2016, the year the Cubs won the World Series.

Home/MLB News