
MLB Players Power Rankings (5): Yuli Gurriel, Houston Astros
Week-17 Stats: 0.826 SLG | 0.569 wOBA | 270 wRC+ | 0.6 fWAR
This week, Yuli Gurriel makes his debut on the top-10 MLB hitters during week-17 of the MLB season. The Astros’ first baseman did so by being the best hitter on his stacked squad of professional hitters.
This season, “La Piña” is having the best season of his 4-year career. With 20 home runs already on this 2019 season, Gurriel has already surpassed his career-high of 18 home runs, which he did in 2017. His slash line of .300 / .334 / .526 features career-highs in batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging.
Also, having to lead the league in double plays grounded into (GDP) last season with 22, this season Gurriel has only had 6 GDP, which could be the result of a higher launch angle.
In fact, according to StatCast, this season Yuli Gurriel is swinging at a 15° launch angle. This is up from 11.5° last season and a career average of 11.1° launch angle.
The Houston Astros hold a commanding lead in the AL West and lead the AL with a +126 run differential. However, if they’re going to want to compete for a second World Series championship since 2017, hitters like Gurriel will have to play a major roll as he did in 2017