2023 MLB Regular Season Ends: League Leaders in Notable Statistics
Another unforgettable season of Major League Baseball has come to a close, and as we eagerly await the start of the postseason, let’s take a moment to recognize the players who excelled in various statistical categories during the regular season.
AL: Shohei Ohtani (LAA), 44 Home Runs
Shohei Ohtani dominated the AL in home runs, despite only playing in three games in September. He became the first home run leader since Dick Allen in 1974 to hit zero home runs in September. Ohtani’s best month was in June when he crushed 15 home runs, nearly hitting .400. He added nine more in July to solidify his lead.
AL: Yandy Díaz (TB), .330 Batting Average
The race for the AL batting title went down to the wire between Yandy Díaz of the Tampa Bay Rays and the Texas Rangers’ Corey Seager. Both players entered Game 162 hitting .330. However, Seager went 0-for-4 in the Rangers’ 1-0 loss to Seattle, giving Díaz, who had the day off, the Rays’ first-ever batting title.
NL/MLB: Luis Arraez (MIA), .354 Batting Average
Luis Arraez had an impressive season, maintaining an average above .400 as late as June 24. Although he experienced a second-half “swoon,” hitting .314 from the All-Star break onwards, Arraez still claimed his second consecutive batting title. With this achievement, Arraez became only the second player since 1901 to win a batting title in both leagues, accomplishing this feat in two full seasons.
AL: Kyle Tucker (HOU), 112 RBIs
Kyle Tucker had an outstanding season, setting a new career-high in RBIs and leading the American League. This marked Tucker’s second consecutive season with at least 25 homers, 25 steals, and 100 RBIs.
NL/MLB: Matt Olson (ATL), 139 RBIs
In his third consecutive 100-RBI season, Matt Olson not only established a new career-high but also surpassed the Braves’ single-season RBI record previously held by Eddie Mathews since 1953.
NL/MLB: Ronald Acuña Jr. (ATL), 73 Stolen Bases
Ronald Acuña Jr. had an exceptional year, achieving MLB’s first 70-stolen base season since 2009. Acuña’s remarkable season also saw him record the first 40-70 season in AL/NL history.
AL: Shohei Ohtani (LAA), 70 Barrels
Shohei Ohtani continued to impress, hitting at least 70 barrels for the third consecutive season. Ohtani already holds the Angels team record with 78 barrels in 2021, which is also the best in the MLB.
NL/MLB: Ronald Acuña Jr. (ATL), 86 Barrels
Ronald Acuña Jr. had an extraordinary season, leading all of baseball with 86 barrels. These were the most hit by a player, not named Aaron Judge, in a single season since Statcast began tracking in 2015.
AL: Chris Bassitt (TOR) and Zach Eflin (TB), 16 Wins
Chris Bassitt of the Toronto Blue Jays and Zach Eflin of the Tampa Bay Rays finished in a tie for the most wins in the AL. Bassitt tied for the AL lead in starts with 33 and went beyond the 200-inning mark for the first time in his career. Eflin achieved a career-high 31 starts and secured seven of his wins during the Rays’ hot start in the first two months of the season.
NL/MLB: Spencer Strider (ATL), 20 Wins
Spencer Strider became the only pitcher in baseball to reach the 20-win milestone in 2023. His impressive performance was backed up by the Braves’ 104-win season, and he received excellent run support throughout the year.
AL: Gerrit Cole (NYY), 2.63 ERA
Gerrit Cole had a magnificent season, potentially leading him to his first Cy Young Award. He also claimed his second career ERA title, which was the Yankees’ first since 1980.
NL/MLB: Blake Snell (SD), 2.25 ERA
Blake Snell had an unusual yet dominant season, leading all qualifiers with a remarkable 2.25 ERA. He also topped the charts in hits per nine (5.8) and walks, solidifying his case as a leading contender for the Cy Young Award.
BUY: Kevin Gausman (TOR), 237 Strikeouts
Kevin Gausman continued to shine as a strikeout machine in 2023. He joins an elite group of five pitchers who have struck out at least 200 batters in each of the last three seasons, including Corbin Burnes, Dylan Cease, Gerrit Cole, and Aaron Nola.
NL/MLB: Spencer Strider (ATL), 281 Strikeouts
Spencer Strider enjoyed his first All-Star season and showcased his swing-and-miss abilities. His 281 strikeouts set a record for most strikeouts by a Braves pitcher since 1901, surpassing John Smoltz’s 276-strikeout season in 1996.
AL/MLB: Emmanuel Clase (CLE), 44 Saves
Emmanuel Clase secured his second consecutive saves title, leading the majors in saves for the Cleveland Guardians. Despite a challenging year for both Clase and his team, he consistently delivered in high-pressure situations.
NL: Camilo Doval (SF) and David Bednar (PIT), 39 Saves
Camilo Doval emerged as the San Francisco Giants’ first NL saves leader since Brian Wilson in 2010. David Bednar of the Pittsburgh Pirates also impressed, doubling his save total from the previous season and earning 18 saves in one-run games.
Outs Above Average (Outfielders):
AL: Kevin Kiermaier (TOR) and Luis Robert Jr. (CWS), +13
Kevin Kiermaier, the all-time leader in Outs Above Average among outfielders since 2016, dazzled in his first season with the Toronto Blue Jays. Luis Robert Jr. of the Chicago White Sox also showcased his defensive prowess, while his 38 homers garnered significant attention.
NL/MLB: Brenton Doyle (COL), +16
In his MLB debut in late April, Brenton Doyle demonstrated his defensive prowess by leading all outfielders in Outs Above Average. Doyle’s excellence was highlighted by a 107.5 mph throw in August, the fastest by an outfielder under Statcast tracking.
As we eagerly anticipate the upcoming postseason, let’s celebrate the achievements of these remarkable players who set new records and led their respective leagues in various statistical categories during the 2023 regular season.