MLB Players Power Rankings: Top 10 Hitters in Week-23
By Manny Gómez
MLB Players Power Rankings (T3): J.T. Realmuto, Philadelphia Phillies
Week-23 Stats: 1.045 SLG | 0.581 wOBA | 264 wRC+ | 0.7 fWAR
The Philadelphia Phillies have struggled to stay in the playoff race for the better part of the second half of the season. Currently, they’re 14-games back in the NL East and two games back for the second Wild Card.
As if things couldn’t get worse, they lost their star outfielder Bryce Harper for an unknown number of games after being plunked in the hand this past weekend. This on top of losing Andrew McCutchen, Jake Arrieta, and David Robertson to injury this season.
Over the last few weeks, however, one big offseason acquisition has stepped up to the plate and kept the Phils relevant. I’m talking about none other than catcher J.T. Realmuto.
After appearing on our top-10 list a couple of weeks ago, he reemerges again in week-23 of the season.
Already, this season Realmuto has set a career-high in home runs (23 and doubles (34). What’s more, his .282 batting average is the highest its been since 2016 when he hit .303. Also, his .501 slugging and .834 OPS are currently at a career-high and are expected to remain there.
Fortunately for the Phillies, the 28-year-old veteran catcher will remain under team control through next season. Sure, they’ll have to spend some money in arbitration, but at least they don’t have to worry about his level of production.