A nine-RBI sport? 13 strikeouts in aid? A 6-for-6 exhibiting? All of it occurred in 2023, a season that noticed numerous memorable performances on the plate and on the mound. MLB hitters mixed for 9 three-homer video games, and 41 totally different pitchers racked up 12 or extra Okay’s in a single sport — together with Lance Lynn’s 16-strikeout outing.
However which video games might be remembered for years to come back? Right here is every group’s greatest particular person single-game efficiency of 2023, with an honorable point out listed for every membership.
Blue Jays: Chris BassittMay 12 vs. ATL (9 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 8 Okay)
Going through a Braves offense that might go on to guide the Majors with 947 runs scored and tie the MLB document for homers (307) in a single season, Bassitt yielded only a pair of knocks and struck out eight in a blinding complete-game effort. It was certainly one of solely 20 shutouts (not together with shortened video games) thrown throughout the Majors in 2023.
Honorable point out: Kevin Gausman, April 29 vs. SEA (7 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 13 Okay)
Together with his nine-RBI eruption in opposition to the A’s in early April, Mountcastle tied a franchise document beforehand set by Jim Gentile in 1961 and matched by Eddie Murray in 1985. Seven of these RBIs got here on a pair of clutch homers — a three-run shot within the fifth and a grand slam within the seventh — because the O’s got here again from a four-run deficit in an eventual 12-8 win.
Honorable point out: Gunnar Henderson, Aug. 20 at OAK (4-for-5, 2 2B, 3B, HR, 2 RBI)
Glasnow overpowered the Crimson Sox in what turned out to be certainly one of his last house begins with the Rays earlier than an offseason commerce to the Dodgers. The suitable-hander struck out 14 of the 22 batters he confronted within the dominant effort, tying a profession excessive and falling one Okay shy of the single-game franchise document shared by Chris Archer and James Shields.
Honorable point out: Taylor Partitions, April 18 at CIN (4-for-5, 3B, 2 HR, 4 RBI)
Crimson Sox: Adam DuvallApril 1 vs. BAL (4-for-5, 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 5 RBI)
Duvall carried the Crimson Sox to their first win of the season on this sport in opposition to the Orioles, hitting a walk-off, two-run homer instantly after Baltimore left fielder Ryan McKenna dropped a routine fly ball that might have ended the sport. Duvall completed with 4 extra-base hits on the day, driving in 5 of Boston’s 9 runs in one-run victory. It marked the primary time since 2012 (Carlos Beltrán) {that a} participant had a double, a triple and a number of homers in a sport.
Honorable point out: Nick Pivetta, July 17 at OAK (6 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 13 Okay in aid)
Yankees: Aaron JudgeSept. 22 vs. AZ (4-for-4, 2B, 3 HR, 6 RBI)
Choose wanted 801 video games to document his first profession three-homer effort. He lastly did it on Aug. 23 in opposition to the Nationals, going 3-for-4 with six RBIs in a 9-1 win. One month later, he notched his second, gathering 4 hits altogether and driving in six of New York’s seven runs in a win over the eventual NL champions.
Honorable point out: Domingo Germán, June 18 at OAK (9 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 9 Okay — good sport)
Guardians: Josh NaylorMay 31 at BAL (4-for-5, 2 2B, HR, 6 RBI)
Naylor performed a key position within the Guardians’ come-from-behind win on Might 31 in Baltimore, going 4-for-5 with three necessary extra-base hits in a span of three innings. He doubled and scored within the third inning, homered within the fourth to tie issues up at 5-5 and laced a bases-clearing double to place Cleveland in entrance for good within the fifth. Naylor added a seventh-inning single to cap a stellar day.
Honorable point out: José Ramírez, June 8 vs. BOS (3-for-5, 3 HR, 5 RBI)
Witt recorded 4 hits in a sport 4 instances in 2023, however his efficiency in opposition to the Twins in late July at Kauffman Stadium was definitely his most impactful. After having a two-run house run in opposition to Sonny Grey overturned to a double on overview, Witt left little doubt with a walk-off grand slam off Jhoan Duran within the tenth inning to win it for the Royals. (He proceeded to go 4-for-5 once more the next night time.)
Honorable point out: Witt, Might 26 vs. WSH (4-for-5, 1 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI)
Rodriguez blanked the Mets over eight innings because the Tigers completed off a three-game sweep at Comerica Park. The lefty struck out Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso and Tommy Pham twice every, racking up 9 Okay’s and strolling only one batter in a dominant outing. By sport rating (86), it was the very best efficiency of Rodriguez’s profession.
Honorable point out: Rodriguez, April 18 vs. CLE (8 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 10 Okay)
Twins: Pablo LópezJuly 5 vs. KC (9 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 12 Okay)
Acquired from the Marlins for Luis Arraez, López confirmed his value in his first season with the Twins. Amongst his greatest outings have been an eight-inning, 14-strikeout sport in a loss to the Mets on Sept. 10 and this dominant shutout of Kansas Metropolis in July. López completed with 12 Okay’s — probably the most in any shutout in 2023 — as Minnesota rolled to a 5-0 win.
Honorable point out: Royce Lewis, AL Wild Card Sequence Recreation 1 vs. TOR (2-for-3, BB, 2 HR, 3 RBI)
Kopech delivered the longest outing of his profession in a dominant exhibiting in opposition to the Royals. On Might 19 at Assured Charge Discipline, the White Sox right-hander shut out Chicago’s division rival for eight innings, permitting only one hit: a Michael Massey single within the sixth. Kopech struck out seven Kansas Metropolis starters not less than as soon as to assist the South Siders to a 2-0 win within the opener of a three-game sequence the White Sox went on to comb.
Honorable point out: Luis Robert Jr., April 7 at PIT (3-for-5, 2 HR, 5 RBI)
Angels: Shohei OhtaniJune 27 vs. CWS (6.1 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 2 BB, 10 Okay as pitcher, 2 HR as hitter)
There’s little doubt that Ohtani’s most spectacular single day was on July 27 in Detroit, when the two-way phenom tossed a shutout within the first sport of a doubleheader and crushed two house runs within the second sport. However by way of a single sport, Ohtani’s June 27 efficiency in opposition to the White Sox was his most spectacular. In entrance of his house crowd in Anaheim, Ohtani punched out 10 hitters whereas permitting one run in 6 1/3 innings on the mound whereas crushing two house runs on the plate. Ohtani’s dominant efficiency was the distinction in a 4-2 Angels win.
Honorable point out: Ohtani, July 27 at DET (9 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 8 Okay)
Valdez was almost good in his no-hit effort vs the Guardians, issuing only one stroll and changing into the primary Astros pitcher to face the minimal 27 batters in a no-hitter. The left-hander punched out seven Cleveland hitters, induced 12 floor balls and solely threw 93 pitches — the third-fewest pitches in a no-hitter since pitch counts have been first tracked in 1988. That this no-hitter got here mere hours after the Astros re-acquired Justin Verlander made it all of the extra particular.
Honorable point out: Jose Altuve, Sept. 5 at TEX (3-for-5, 3 HR, 3 RBI)
A memorable yr for Peterson resulted in the very best sport of the veteran infielder’s profession and a World Sequence look after a midseason commerce to the D-backs. Previous to that deal, Peterson had an enormous efficiency in Pittsburgh by recording a success in all 5 plate appearances, slugging two house runs and driving in 5 runs. Peterson joined Corridor of Famer Al Simmons as the one gamers in franchise historical past to go 5-for-5, homer twice and drive in 5 runs in a single sport.
Honorable point out: Jordan Diaz, Might 9 at NYY (3-for-4, 3 HR, 4 RBI)
J-Rod’s signature sport got here throughout probably the most dominant stretch of his younger profession. Seattle’s celebrity set an AL/NL document with 17 hits in a four-game span from Aug. 16-19. Within the second sport of that stretch, Rodríguez had the sport of his life, securing his first five-hit efficiency within the Majors, driving in 5 runs and hitting a go-ahead three-run homer within the eighth inning.
Honorable point out: George Kirby, Aug. 12 vs. BAL (9 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 Okay)
García put collectively two of the very best postseason performances in MLB historical past en path to the Rangers’ first World Sequence title. Whereas García’s walk-off house run in opposition to Arizona in Recreation 1 of the World Sequence was his high second, his efficiency in Recreation 7 of the ALCS vs. the Rangers’ divisional and in-state rival Astros was his greatest. Following house runs in every of the earlier three video games and the drama of Recreation 5, García helped put the ending touches on the Rangers’ AL pennant with 4 hits and two house runs in Recreation 7.
Honorable point out: García, April 22 vs. OAK (5-for-6, 2 2B, 3 HR, 8 RBI)
All of Acuña’s offensive abilities have been on show on this unbelievable all-around efficiency, which got here simply as Dodgers celebrity Mookie Betts’ NL MVP marketing campaign was beginning to achieve a little bit of steam. From this sport by the tip of the common season, Acuña hit .368 with 13 homers, 14 steals and a 1.165 OPS to safe MLB’s first 40-homer, 70-steal marketing campaign and win NL MVP honors in unanimous trend.
Honorable point out: Matt Olson, June 30 vs. MIA (4-for-5, 3B, 2 HR, 5 RBI)
Marlins: Luis ArraezApril 11 at PHI (4-for-5, 2B, 3B, HR, 2 RBI)
Arraez made it clear early on that his first season with the Marlins was going to be one to recollect. The second baseman went 22-for-41 (.537 common) over his first 12 video games, capped off by the primary cycle in Marlins historical past on April 11 in opposition to the Phillies. Previous to Arraez’s banner efficiency, the Marlins have been the final of the 30 MLB franchises and not using a cycle.
Honorable point out: Arraez, June 3 vs. OAK (5-for-5, 3 2B, 5 RBI)
Lindor’s standout exhibiting was considerably misplaced amid the Mets’ disappointing season in 2023. The veteran shortstop completed with 6.0 WAR (per Baseball-Reference) over 160 video games, producing 31 homers, 31 steals and 98 RBIs whereas supplying very good protection. His most spectacular efficiency of the yr got here in Phoenix, as he turned simply the seventh participant within the Trendy Period (since 1900) to document a homer and a number of triples in a five-hit sport.
Honorable point out: Pete Alonso, Aug. 7 vs. CHC (3-for-4, 2 HR, 6 RBI)
Just one participant had a six-hit sport in 2023: García, who went 6-for-6 with two RBIs and three runs scored in Washington’s 12-10 win over the Royals. He turned simply the third participant in Expos/Nationals historical past to tally six hits in a sport, becoming a member of Rondell White (in 1995) and Anthony Rendon (in 2017).
Honorable point out: CJ Abrams, Aug. 6 at CIN (4-for-5, 2B, HR, 2 SB)
Making simply his second begin after being shipped from Detroit to Philadelphia on the Commerce Deadline, Lorenzen eternally etched his title in Phillies lore with the 14th no-hitter in franchise historical past. It was the group’s first no-no since Cole Hamels twirled one in opposition to the Cubs at Wrigley Discipline on July 25, 2015, his last begin with the group earlier than being dealt to the Rangers.
Honorable point out: Alec Bohm, July 1 vs. WSH (4-for-5, 2 HR, 6 RBI)
Brewers: Corbin BurnesSept. 10 at NYY (8 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 7 Okay)
In a traditional duel with Gerrit Cole at Yankee Stadium, Burnes was actually unhittable by eight innings. He struck out seven Yanks and walked simply two because the Brewers — unable to attain — took a no-hit bid by 10 innings within the Bronx. The Yankees broke the spell with a double off Joel Payamps within the eleventh and ultimately walked off the sport within the thirteenth, however Burnes’ efficiency shouldn’t be forgotten.
Honorable point out: Sal Frelick, July 22 vs. ATL (3-for-3, 2 RBI, a number of highlight-reel catches in MLB debut)
Goldschmidt tore up the Tigers on Might 7 at Busch Stadium, slugging solo homers within the first and third and a two-run shot within the eighth. He additionally stole third base within the sixth as a part of a double steal, making him the one participant in 2023 with three homers and not less than one swipe. The competition was Goldschmidt’s third profession three-homer sport, a complete surpassed by solely 17 gamers in AL/NL historical past.
Honorable point out: Miles Mikolas, Might 30 vs. KC (8 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 10 Okay)
The Rays got here into this late Might sport at Wrigley Discipline with a 39-16 document, however they have been no match for Stroman. The suitable-hander tossed a one-hit shutout of Tampa Bay, taking a no-no bid into the seventh inning and putting out eight Rays. Stroman’s sport rating of 92 is tied for the very best by a Cubs pitcher since Jake Arrieta (98) in his no-hitter in opposition to the Dodgers in 2015.
Honorable point out: Ian Happ, April 14 at LAD (4-for-4, BB, 2 2B, HR, 3 RBI, SB)
“Slamtana” powered the Pirates to an 8-4 victory over the Padres in July at Petco Park with a robust all-around sport on the plate. The veteran first baseman slugged a pair of two-run homers off Yu Darvish and added a stroll and a double to his productive night time. Three days after his big sport, Santana was traded to the division-rival Brewers.
Honorable point out: Mitch Keller, Might 8 vs. COL (9 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 8 Okay)
In simply his fifteenth profession sport, the electrical De La Cruz hit for the Reds’ first cycle since Eric Davis in 1989. So as, the rookie infielder hit a double, a two-run homer, an RBI single and an RBI triple as Reds beat the Braves in an 11-10 traditional. The sport continued a red-hot begin to De La Cruz’s profession, because the younger star was hitting .361 with a 1.074 OPS after his historic night time.
Honorable point out: Andrew Abbott, July 20 vs. SF (8 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 6 Okay)
D-backs: Zac GallenSept. 8 at CHC (9 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 9 Okay)
In a yr through which he completed third in NL Cy Younger Award voting, Gallen’s signature second got here in a pivotal matchup in opposition to one other NL Wild Card hopeful. With the D-backs battling the Cubs for one of many three Wild Card spots, Gallen twirled a shutout whereas punching out 9 hitters in a 1-0 Arizona win. With only one sport separating the D-backs and Cubs for the ultimate Wild Card spot at season’s finish, it’s simple to take a look at Gallen’s dominant efficiency as a separating issue for Arizona’s postseason berth and memorable run to the World Sequence.
Honorable point out: Christian Walker, July 18 at ATL (3-for-5, BB, 2 HR, 5 RBI, SB)
Within the Dodgers’ third sport of the season, Thompson had a totally dominant sport in opposition to the division-rival D-backs. Following a powerful 2022 season with the Dodgers, Thompson began his first sport on April 1 and proceeded to crush three house runs and drive in eight runs. On a group that includes star energy like Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and Clayton Kershaw, it was Thompson who shined the brightest by changing into the third participant in Dodgers historical past with three house runs and eight RBIs in a single sport, becoming a member of Adrián González (2016) and Gil Hodges (1950).
Honorable point out: Mookie Betts, June 2 vs. NYY (4-for-4, BB, 2 HR, 3 RBI, SB)
Giants: Alex CobbAug. 29 vs. CIN (9 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 BB, 8 Okay)
The veteran right-hander was one out away from securing the 18th no-hitter in Giants historical past. Whereas Cobb sadly turned the newest pitcher to lose a no-hitter on the ultimate out, it was nonetheless a wonderful outing and the very best of Cobb’s profession. Cobb tossed a career-high 131 pitches, didn’t permit his first hit or stroll till the ninth inning and helped preserve the Giants within the playoff combine in opposition to one other NL Wild Card hopeful.
Honorable point out: Logan Webb, July 9 vs. COL (9 IP, 7 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 10 Okay)
Tatis is certainly one of baseball’s most electrical all-around gamers, and that talent set was on full show in San Diego on June 14. Tatis turned the primary AL/NL participant within the Trendy Period (since 1900) with a house run, three extra-base hits, two runs scored, two stolen bases, a stroll and an outfield help in the identical sport. The five-tool celebrity began his sport with a solo house run and ended it with an outfield help within the ninth inning.
Honorable point out: Seth Lugo, Sept. 26 at SF (8.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 7 Okay)
Rockies: C.J. CronMarch 30 at SD (4-for-5, 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI)
Cron wasted no time in producing the Rockies’ greatest particular person efficiency of 2023. On Opening Day in San Diego, Cron crushed two homers, recorded 4 hits and drove in 5 runs. Within the course of, he turned simply the eighth participant in AL/NL historical past to document that stat line on Opening Day and the primary since Dmitri Younger did it for the Tigers in 2005.
Honorable point out: Brenton Doyle, Might 15 vs. CIN (3-for-4, 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI)
