{"id":59463,"date":"2023-08-02T13:00:05","date_gmt":"2023-08-02T17:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=59463"},"modified":"2023-08-02T10:36:51","modified_gmt":"2023-08-02T14:36:51","slug":"offensive-improvements-mlb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2023\/08\/02\/offensive-improvements-mlb\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Offensive Improvements That Deserve Recognition"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the start of August and the dog days of summer, it&#8217;s time to look at some of the best offensive improvements of 2023. Some of these sluggers seem to have flown under the radar, but one, in particular, is making headlines daily. These players all have their teams in playoff contention. As the second half continues, their teams will need these sluggers to continue the offensive production as the postseason push goes into high gear. Here&#8217;s a look at some of the best-hitting turnarounds in 2023.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2>Offensive Improvements Across the League<\/h2>\n<h3><strong>Ronald Acu\u00f1a Jr.<\/strong>, Atlanta Braves<\/h3>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"ro\">Jos\u00e9 Ram\u00edrez, Shohei Ohtani, and Ronald Acu\u00f1a Jr. are the only 3 MLB hitters to achieve ALL of the below stats over the last 44 games played.<\/p>\n<p>1.000+ OPS<br \/>\n.325+ BA<br \/>\n12+ HR<a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/OabLtt1CgB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/OabLtt1CgB<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Cleveland Stats (@CLE_STATS) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CLE_STATS\/status\/1686073003375996928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 31, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It&#8217;s no secret that Acu\u00f1a Jr. is making things look easy this year. Acuna&#8217;s 2023 slash line of .331\/.416\/.571 in 481 plate appearances is one of the best in baseball. In 2022, he slashed only .266\/.351\/.413 in 533 plate appearances. Not only has his overall slash line improved, but Acuna has hit 24 home runs, with 61 RBI, and scored an MLB-leading 93 runs this season. His subpar 2022 included only 15 home runs, 50 RBI, and 71 runs. Acuna&#8217;s current turnaround <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2023\/07\/15\/2023-nl-mvp-race\/\" target=\"_self\">has him leading<\/a> the 2023 National League MVP race.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Bryson Stott<\/strong>, Philadelphia Phillies<\/h3>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Bryson Stott is the 12th player in AL\/NL history\u2014and the first since Darren Lewis in 1991\u2014to have 4 walks and 3 stolen bases in a game. \ud83e\udd2f<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Phillies?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@Phillies<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/RingTheBell?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#RingTheBell<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/i7ppxZ6OTy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/i7ppxZ6OTy<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Baseball Reference (@baseball_ref) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/baseball_ref\/status\/1683275722159190018?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 24, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stott is in his sophomore season with Philadelphia. The Phillies second baseman has shown that increased big-league experience elevates his game. Last season, Stott had 466 plate appearances with a slash line of .234\/.295\/.358. This year, Stott has shown why the Phillies drafted him with their <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2019\/05\/28\/bryson-stott-2019-mlb-draft-profile\/\" target=\"_self\">first pick<\/a> in 2019. His current slash line of .299\/.340\/.429 in 427 plate appearances shows vast offensive growth. Stott has had 20 doubles on the season, one better than his 19 in 2022.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Brandon Marsh<\/strong>, Philadelphia Phillies<\/h3>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Some interesting stats heading into August courtesy of <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SavantTips?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@SavantTips<\/a><\/p>\n<p>22\/23 Year-to-Year Changes Leaderboard<\/p>\n<p>Hard Hit Rate<br \/>\n3. Brandon Marsh (+10.8%)<br \/>\n8. Nick Castellanos (+8.9%)<\/p>\n<p>Batting Average<br \/>\n5. Bryston Stott (+.069)<\/p>\n<p>OBP<br \/>\n4. Brandon Marsh (+.072)<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 PBT Stats (@PBTstats) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/PBTstats\/status\/1686485423751618560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">August 1, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Stott&#8217;s teammate has also turned it around at the plate this season. Last year, Marsh managed a .245\/.295\/.384 slash line in 461 total plate appearances. Marsh is slashing .277\/.364\/.449 in 350 plate appearances. The uptick in on-base percentage is due to the 41 walks he has drawn, compared to just 28 last year. He has also hit 19 doubles and six triples this year compared to 18 images and four triples in 2022. His increased patience at the plate and extra-base hits have his OPS up from .679 in 2022 to .813 this season.<\/p>\n<h3><strong>Jonah Heim<\/strong>, Texas Rangers<\/h3>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Jonah Heim is 1st in catcher fWAR, and 13th in all of baseball. Criminally underrated. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/EWnVp61GRg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/EWnVp61GRg<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Discuss Baseball (@discussbaseball) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/discussbaseball\/status\/1683585457576108033?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 24, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2023\/07\/30\/rangers-acquire-rotation-help\/\" target=\"_self\">Texas Rangers<\/a>, the offense has been clicking in 2023. Some of the credit for this year&#8217;s success should go to catcher Heim. He ended 2022 with 450 plate appearances and a disappointing slash line of .227\/.298\/.399. So far, in 2023, Heim is slashing .280\/.337\/.479 in 359 plate appearances. His 23 doubles in the current season have already surpassed his total of 20 last year. The Ranger backstop and first-time All-Star has also come through in the clutch, knocking in 70 RBI, compared to just 48 RBI all previous year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Ketel Marte<\/strong>, Arizona Diamondbacks<\/h3>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Jonah Heim is 1st in catcher fWAR, and 13th in all of baseball. Criminally underrated. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/EWnVp61GRg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/EWnVp61GRg<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Discuss Baseball (@discussbaseball) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/discussbaseball\/status\/1683585457576108033?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">July 24, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Marte did not seem himself in 2022. In 558 plate appearances, Marte managed a .240\/.321\/.407 slash line, not typical of the Arizona slugger. He only managed to hit 12 home runs and two triples all of last season. However, 2023 seems to be a return to form for Marte. His .294\/.372\/.The 516 slash line in 440 plate appearances is more familiar to anyone following the Diamondbacks. His 18 home runs and MLB-leading seven triples have reflected in Marte&#8217;s impressive slugging percentage uptick.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>Photo Credit: \u00a9 David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n<p>Players mentioned:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/a\/acunaro01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-02_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ronald Acu\u00f1a Jr.<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/s\/stottbr01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-02_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Bryson Stott<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/marshbr02.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-02_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Brandon Marsh<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/h\/heimjo01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-02_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jonah Heim<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.baseball-reference.com\/players\/m\/marteke01.shtml?utm_medium=linker&amp;utm_source=lastwordonsports.com&amp;utm_campaign=2023-08-02_br\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ketel Marte<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>With the start of August and the dog days of summer, it&#8217;s time to look at some of the best offensive improvements of 2023. Some of these sluggers seem to have flown under the radar, but one, in particular, is making headlines daily. These players all have their teams in playoff contention. As the second [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4738,"featured_media":60122,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1071,2],"tags":[326,48,2654,4899,702,268,1982,259],"class_list":["post-59463","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb","category-featured","tag-arizona-diamondbacks","tag-atlanta-braves","tag-bryson-stott","tag-jonah-heim","tag-ketel-marte","tag-philadelphia-phillies","tag-ronald-acuna-jr","tag-texas-rangers"],"modified_by":"Matt Graves","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59463","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4738"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=59463"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/59463\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/60122"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=59463"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=59463"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=59463"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}