PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - NOVEMBER 01: Jean Segura #2 and Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies high five after defeating the Houston Astros 7-0 in Game Three of the 2022 World Series at Citizens Bank Park on November 01, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
MLB futures: A new set of stars ready to emerge in the hit leader market
It seems like every player in the league is just trying to yank the ball out of the ballpark these days. That is what made the now-outlawed shift so successful, right. Whether that is true or not, a look at this hit leader market lets us focus on another batch of very good hitters, including some guys who use their speed as a weapon.
Last year we saw three players smack at least 200 hits and Atlanta OF Ronald Acuna Jr. led the majors with 217 in his MVP season. He is at the top of the odds table heading into this season and a rarity in that he is a decent bet to lead the league in homers too. His former teammate, Dodgers 1B Freddie Freeman, also cracked more than 200 hits last season and finished second. Both are pretty good bets to do it again.
Repeat winners in this category have not been uncommon, Philly SS Trea Turner in 2021 and 2020 and then Royals IF/OF Whit Merrifield the two years before that.
Here is a look at the market:
MLB Futures Base Hit Leaders
Bo Bichette, Toronto Blue Jays +1100
Bichette has quickly become one of the most consistent hitters in the majors. He has a .299 career average and led the American League in hits in 2021 and 2022. Last season he was ninth in the majors even though he only played 139 games (after back-to-back season with 159). He does not need to explode to capture his first MLB hit title and even if Blue Jays teammate Vlad Guerrero Jr. struggles some again, he is enough of a threat batting behind him.
Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals +1500
I liked Bobby Witt Jr. as a sleeper MVP candidate in the AL this season. To get there he is going to need to keep growing his game. He is in just his third season and all of his indicators are pointing up. He was a top prospect though so it is not like anyone thinks he has hit his ceiling yet. He has been durable too, playing 150 or more games in both seasons. An overall upgrade to the Royals team can only help too, right?
