Fansided

Each MLB team’s most surprising player from April

By Joshua Sadlock

Apr 3, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Eric Thames (7) hits a double to drive in two runs in the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 3, 2017; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Eric Thames (7) hits a double to drive in two runs in the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 23, 2017; San Diego, CA, USA; Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto (11) hits an RBI single during the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2017; San Diego, CA, USA; Miami Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto (11) hits an RBI single during the sixth inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

Miami Marlins: J.T. Realmuto

Fourth-year catcher J.T. Realmuto just wrapped up what may be the best month of his career to date. Realmuto batted .342/.383/.474 in April with two home runs and seven RBI. After batting .303/.343/.428 last year, the 26-yearold backstop was out to prove those numbers were not a fluke, and he is off to a very strong start to the 2017 season.

Realmuto has shown good ability as a contact hitter during his time with the Marlins. He does not walk much, but also does not strike out. Realmuto has cut his strikeout rate to 8.6 percent so fart his year. That is by far the lowest mark of his career. Realmuto has also cut four percentage points off his soft-contact rate from last year. Combining the increased rate of quality contact with the lower strikeout rate has given him a batting average that ranks among the top hitters in the National League after one month.

On paper, Realmuto’s .358 batting average on balls in play looks fluky when compared to the MLB average of .300. However, it is nearly in line with the .357 mark he posted last year while batting .303 for the entire season. If Realmuto can keep his strikeouts at this low level for the entire season, it would not be a surprise to see him better his batting average from last year. There is bound to be some decline for the catcher as the season drags on and his body wears down, but J.T. Realmuto is for real, and one of the more underrated players in the league.

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