MLB Players Power Rankings: Top 10 Hitters in August 2019
By Manny Gómez
MLB Players Power Rankings (5): Aristides Aquino, Cincinnati Reds
August Stats: 0.767 SLG | 0.459 wOBA | 184 wRC+ | 1.3 fWAR
Aristides Aquino has earned the nickname “Punisher” for his performance since being called up from the minors. In just 30 games this season, Aquino already has 14 home runs and 33 RBI.
If not for another rookie’s record-setting performance this year in Pete Alonso, Aquino would most definitely be a front-runner for the NL Rookie of the Year award.
So, how did Aquino turn to many heads in just a single month worth of games?
He earns a spot in the top five hitters in August by falling just short of the rookie home run record for a single month. Ahead of him are Aaron Judge and Mark McGwire, each with 15 home runs, and Rudy York who in 1937 hit 17 homers in a single month as a rookie. Aquino also tied Greg Vaughn and Frank Robinson for the most home runs in a single month for a Cincinnati Reds player.
Looking back on this season, the Reds are probably wondering what could’ve been had they called Aquino up sooner. Despite having a better run differential than the Milwaukee Brewers, the Brew Crew are in playoff contention whereas the Reds are not.
Could Aquino have been the difference? We’ll never know. The future sure is bright for Cincinnati though.