The first month of the Major League Baseball season is in the books, and some players have had elite performances to start the year, while others hope the coming months will see an increase in production.
With that being said, let’s crown an All-MLB team for the Month of April.
SP: Gerrit Cole, Yankees
Cole has had an incredible start to the season for New York. After a shaky regular season last year, Cole turned in an exemplary postseason in 2022, proving to be the ace New York expected when they signed him in December of 2019. He’s picked up where he left off thus far this season, posting the following stats:
5-0, 1.11 ERA, 44 SO, 5 ER, 1 CGSO, 9.74 K/9, 2.43 BB/9, 0.54 FIP, 1.7 WAR
RP: Felix Bautista, Orioles
Bautista has been a huge part of the Orioles’ strong start to the season. He’s been almost unhittable during his 14 appearances.
14 G, 1.32 ERA, 25 SO, 2 ER, 16.46 K/9, 4.61 BB/9, 2.22 FIP, 43.1 K%, 0.5 WAR
C: Jonah Heim, Rangers
Heim is performing well above his career averages in what has been an amazing start to the 2023 season for him.
Look for him to continue to contribute to a Rangers team that’ll be in the run for an AL Wild Card spot.
.303 AVG, .386 OBP, .592 SLG, .978 OPS, 5 HR, 22 RBI, 169 wRC+, .415 wOBA, 1.5 WAR
1B: Yandy Diaz, Rays
Who isn’t going off for the Tampa Bay Rays? Once again, Diaz has been an important offensive competent of a Rays team that currently owns the best record in baseball at 23-6. Diaz has always been an underrated player, and he continues to prove why this year.
.319 AVG, .420 OBP, .585 SLG, 1.005 OPS, 7 HR, 16 RBI, 185 wRC+, .430 wOBA, 1.2 WAR
2B: Luis Arraez, Marlins
The reigning AL batting champion was traded to Miami in the offseason, and this season has just been more of the same for the All-Star second baseman.
.438 AVG, .500 OBP, .551 SLG, 1.051 OPS, 1 HR, 11 RBI, 187 wRC+, .452 wOBA, 1.0 WAR
3B: Matt Chapman, Blue Jays
Chapman had a poor season in 2022 for Toronto but has gotten off to a better start in 2023 as the league is seeing some of the production he used to put up in his Oakland days.
.379 AVG, .462 OBP, .670 SLG, 1.132 OPS, 5 HR, 21 RBI, 215 wRC+, .479 wOBA, 2.0 WAR
SS: Xander Bogaerts, Padres
Bogaerts moved to San Diego in the off-season on a mega-deal, and the multi-time All-Star shortstop is proving to be a worthy investment through one month of the season.
.304 AVG, .392 OBP, .500 SLG, .892 OPS, 6 HR, 13 RBI, 147 wRC+, .389 wOBA, 1.7 WAR
OF: Ronald Acuna Jr, Braves
Although he was an All-Star last year, Acuna wasn’t quite the best version of himself after returning from a torn ACL last season. This year, he’s started his season off looking like a superstar again.
.363 AVG, .450 OBP, .584 SLG, 1.034 OPS, 5 HR, 15 RBI, 177 wRC+, .445 wOBA, 1.9 WAR
OF: Brandon Marsh, Phillies
Acquired at the trade deadline last year, Marsh has been a pleasant surprise for Philadelphia this year. If he continues his current output, look for him to make his first All-Star team in 2023.
.337 AVG, .422 OBP, .640 SLG, 1.062 OPS, 4 HR, 14 RBI, 181 wRC+, .448 wOBA, 1.3 WAR
OF: Randy Arozarena, Rays
After a stellar World Baseball Classic for Team Mexico, Arozarena continues to light up the baseball world, currently leading the Rays to the best record in baseball thus far.
.327 AVG, .392 OBP, .573 SLG, .965 OPS, 7 HR, 28 RBI, 172 wRC+, .311 wOBA, 1.3 WAR
DH: Yordan Alvarez, Astros
Alvarez hit some big homers for Houston in the postseason last year en route to their World Series championship. He also placed third in AL MVP voting. One of the best hitters in the world is at it again.
.265 AVG, .392 OBP, .530 SLG, .922 OPS, 6 HR, 27 RBI, 157 wRC+, .395 wOBA, 0.9 WAR
Photo: Kyle Ross/USA Today
