Christian Yelich has quietly crafted one of the vital underrated seasons in Main League Baseball this yr. Whereas gamers like Shohei Ohtani (-310) and Bryce Harper (+650) are placing up spectacular resumés for the Nationwide League Most Precious Participant Award, do not allow them to overshadow the exceptional efficiency Christian Yelich (+6500) has delivered to date this season.
Posting first-half numbers higher than his MVP-winning yr in 2018, Yelich is making a case for himself on this yr’s discourse. Whereas a Comeback Participant of the Yr Award is greater than seemingly in Yelich’s future, the 32-year-old is vying so as to add one other piece of {hardware} to his assortment. A number of components from his season contribute to the potential realization of that end result.
Statistics as of July 13, 2024. Odds by way of FanDuel.
1. Excessive batting IQ
Yelich’s capability to distribute hits to all areas of the sector rewards him with among the best offensive spray charts within the league. Regardless of his tendency to tug the ball to the precise facet, Yelich finds methods to punish fielders who modify for this by driving the ball up the center and to the other area. The high-level ways Yelich crafts have resulted in his .327 batting common, the second-highest in MLB.
One more reason for Yelich’s excessive common stems from his distinctive work when taking part in small ball. Whereas advancing the runner 90 ft is most batters’ purpose in a bunt scenario, Yelich works methods to each advance runners and nonetheless gather a base hit.
