Matt Olson currently sits at 774 consecutive games started. Obviously, that’s a ton of games, but it also reminded me that we only have 8 games left this season, which seems insane. With a late-season heater, Olson is up to .280/.373/.497, which is good for a 141 wRC+ and 5 wins. That makes him a top 15 position player and the top overall first baseman in the game. I feel like it’s been of a quiet build for him to get there, but it’s been a great season for the 31 year old.
For the Tigers, Spencer
Torkelson mans first base. He’s hitting .243/.335/.465 (120 wRC+). He’s not a terribly good defensive first baseman, so his value makes him roughly a league-average starter at the position. That’s somewhat faint praise, but that’s significantly better than where’re we thought he was heading after being the top overall pick in 2020. His first couple of years were generally uninspiring, but he’s now headed in a better direction as he approaches his prime. Statcast is also a fan.
