Here are ten hitters who have shown the most improvement since the All-Star break, making a significant impact on their overall season performance.
1- Ryan Mountcastle, Orioles: +112 points
Ryan Mountcastle's numbers have seen a significant surge in the second half. In the first half, he experienced some bad luck, but his fortunes turned around as he slashed .377/.438/.613 with six home runs over 32 games. This impressive performance raised his OPS from .691 to .803.
2- Triston Casas, Red Sox: +108 points
Triston Casas, the 26th overall pick in the 2018 Draft, struggled early in the season with a .184/.300/.342 slash line and six home runs in his first 49 games. However, the Red Sox showed faith in him, and he has rewarded them with a remarkable improvement. Casas now boasts a .836 OPS on the year, thanks to a 1.109 OPS and 11 home runs since the All-Star break.
3-T. Lars Nootbaar, Cardinals: +95 points
Despite missing significant time due to injuries, Lars Nootbaar has been a bright spot for the struggling St. Louis Cardinals in 2023. Leading the team with an .835 OPS, Nootbaar's performance has improved significantly since the All-Star break. He has posted a .330 average, seven home runs, and a 1.027 OPS in the second half, elevating his season performance from a .740 OPS at the break.
4-T. Keibert Ruiz, Nationals: +95 points
Keibert Ruiz, acquired by the Nationals in the trade involving Trea Turner and Max Scherzer, had a slow start to the season with a .226/.279/.360 slash line in the first half. However, the 25-year-old catcher has shown his potential in the second half. With a .336/.402/.566 line, six home runs, and more walks than strikeouts, Ruiz has improved his overall OPS to .734, demonstrating his ability to become a franchise catcher for the Nationals.
5-T. Cody Bellinger, Cubs: +87 points
Cody Bellinger, the 2019 NL MVP, has been having a strong bounce-back season, which has only gotten better since the All-Star break. In the first half, Bellinger hit .298 with nine home runs and an .846 OPS. However, in the second half, he has taken his game to another level, hitting 11 home runs and slashing .367/.401/.680. His overall OPS of .933 represents a remarkable 322-point improvement from his OPS across 2021-22.
6-T. Max Kepler, Twins: +87 points
Max Kepler, once considered a foundational piece for the Twins after his impressive 2019 season with 36 home runs and an .855 OPS, struggled to maintain that level of performance from 2020 to 2022, posting a .707 OPS during that span. In the first half of 2023, his struggles continued with a .688 OPS. However, since the All-Star break, Kepler has shown signs of returning to his 2019 form. Over 32 games, he has hit .299 with eight home runs and a .928 OPS. His overall OPS for the year has climbed to .775. If Kepler can sustain this performance, the Twins will face a challenging decision regarding his 2024 club option ($10 million with a $1 million buyout) during the offseason.
7- Bobby Witt Jr., Royals: +78 points
Bobby Witt Jr., a highly touted prospect, has been making a breakout impact for the Royals. Despite some poor luck earlier in the season, Witt has been on fire since the All-Star break. He has recorded a .343/.374/.650 slash line with 10 home runs, 32 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases. Witt's overall OPS has risen to .820, a significant improvement from his rookie year's .722 OPS and the .742 OPS he had in the first half of 2023.
These hitters have made impressive strides since the All-Star break, contributing to their respective teams and elevating their overall performances as the season progresses.
8- Julio Rodríguez, Mariners: +77 points
Julio Rodríguez, the young phenom who made the 2023 AL All-Star team and wowed the crowd at the Home Run Derby in Seattle, had a lackluster first half with a .721 OPS. However, since the All-Star break, he has been on fire. Rodríguez has hit .347 with eight home runs, 12 doubles, 30 RBIs, and a stellar .986 OPS, playing a crucial role in the Mariners' resurgence and their push for a playoff spot. In fact, he made history by breaking the AL/NL record for the most hits in a four-game span with an impressive 17 hits.
9- MJ Melendez, Royals: +73 points
MJ Melendez, despite showing promising quality of contact metrics, struggled in the first half with a .622 OPS. However, he has shown significant improvement since the All-Star break. With a .302 batting average, six home runs, and an .870 OPS, Melendez has raised his overall OPS to .695. His improved performance has been a positive development for the Royals.
10- Austin Riley, Braves: +72 points
Austin Riley earned his second consecutive All-Star selection in 2023, but his first-half performance with a .775 OPS fell short of his impressive .878 OPS from the previous year. However, Riley has been on a tear since the All-Star break, elevating his overall OPS to .847. In just 34 games, he has smashed 13 home runs, driven in 33 runs, and displayed an impressive slash line of .312/.366/.667. Riley's incredible post-break performance has brought him closer to his stellar 2022 numbers.