April is in the books, and a pair of rookies are atop two league leaderboards. Reds first baseman Sal Stewart paces all hitters with 29 RBI. White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami is tied with Yordan Alvarez and Aaron Judge for the home run lead. This is the first time since RBI became a stat in 1920 that two rookies were leading those categories heading into May (h/t OptaSTATS on X).
1. Philly, Shugart get two walk-off wins
Philadelphia swept a doubleheader against the Giants on Thursday. Justin Crawford beat out an infield single to knock in the winning run in the first game. Alec Bohm delivered a sac fly in extra innings to seal the second game. Right-hander Chase Shugart earned the victory in both contests. He came on to strike out Matt Chapman in the top of the ninth inning of Game 1, making him the pitcher of record when Bryson Stott tied it, then Crawford won it. Shugart wriggled out of a first-and-third, no outs situation in the top of the 10th inning in Game 2. A sac bunt and a deep drive to center field in the bottom of the frame clinched his second win of the day. Interim manager Don Mattingly is off to a 3-0 start.
2. Bennett to get the ball for Boston
Left-hander Jake Bennett was scratched from his Triple-A start on Wednesday so he could be an option for the big-league club this weekend. With Garrett Crochet hitting the IL yesterday, Bennett is a logical choice to start tonight against the Astros. The 25-year-old was acquired in the offseason from the Nationals for fellow prospect Luis Perales. MLB Pipeline ranked Bennett at No. 18 in Washington’s system last season. He ranked sixth with the Red Sox following the trade. Bennett lost all of 2024 due to injury, but returned last year and put together a strong campaign. The lefty posted a 2.27 ERA in 75 1/3 innings spanning three levels. Bennett has allowed just two earned runs over five starts at Triple-A this year.
3. Opt-out day for Article XX(B) players
We’ve reached May 1, the second of three opt-out dates for Article XX(B) free agents. The designation typically applies to players with at least six years of MLB service time who signed minor league deals at least 10 days before the start of the season. The uniform opt-out dates are five days before Opening Day, today, and June 1. Players may also have opt-outs on other dates negotiated into their contracts, but these are the three specific days that apply to the Article XX(B) group. If an opt-out is triggered, teams have two days to add the player to the 40-man roster. If they decline, the player can become a free agent.
Photo courtesy of Kyle Ross, Imagn Images
SchwarBOMB!! 💪👀
Took me awhile to notice that Red Sox now have three young LH SP in Early, Tolle and Bennett. I think they are hoping to find their next Jon Lester or Bruce Hurst among the three.
Better hope they’re not another Henry Owens/Brian Johnson
2 tidbits
yordan alvarez currently leads the majors in the following categories:
home runs, hits, total bases, OBP, SLG, OPS
(AL triple crown leader as well)
Ildemaro Vargas has played 23 games this season and has a hit in every single game. record for longest hitting streak to start a season is 30
Let off some steam, Bennett
Sack/ remember when I said you’d be here awhile Bennet??? I lied( conversation with Craig after game)