The Athletic: Bowden's All MLB Team 2023

[Moose Milligan]

Nice to see a little Adley and Felix love while we're handwringing over the impending offseason.

https://theathletic.com/4995000/2023/10/26/all-mlb-team-best-2023-ohtani/

 

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Catcher: Adley Rutschman, Orioles

WAR: 4.3 OPS+: 128

Adley Rutschman slashed .277/.374/.435 with 20 home runs, 84 runs scored and 80 RBIs while mostly hitting second or first in the order for Baltimore. He made his first All-Star team. He finished tied for third in the American League in walks with 92, two behind league leader J.P. Crawford. He threw out 22 percent of base runners trying to steal, an above-average mark in the first year of the challenging new rules for catchers. He ranked in the 85th percentile in blocks above average, the 79th percentile in framing and the 81st percentile in pop time. His xwOBA was in the 92nd percentile. Jonah Heim of the Rangers finished a close second and impressed by ranking in the 97th percentile in framing and the 89th percentile in caught stealing above average. However, Rutschman’s bat gave him a slight edge.

 

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Closer: Félix Bautista, Orioles

WAR: 3.0 ERA+: 280

Félix Bautista was the best closer in baseball before suffering a season-ending injury that resulted in Tommy John surgery. Bautista posted a 1.48 ERA and recorded 33 saves. He struck out 110 in 61 innings with 26 walks and 30 hits allowed (0.918 WHIP). He ranked in the 98th percentile in pitching run value and the 96th percentile in fastball run value. Devin Williams and Josh Hader were both in the running, but Bautista, 28, was the choice to represent baseball’s bullpens.

 

He picked Bochy for the manager spot though.  

[Moose Milligan]

Whoops, meant to post this in Orioles Talk.