2022 Kevin Mitchell Award contenders

The Kevin Mitchell Award recognizes the DMBL's top batter. There's the age-old debate about whether to give the award to the best hitter or the most valuable hitter, and what does that even mean, if he plays for a non-playoff team?

With that in mind, a look at Mitchell Award contenders takes a different turn this year. Rather than post individual summaries on the league's best batters of 2022, we'll take a look at each team's best hitters, starting with the No. 1 seed.

Voters can choose up to six players on a ballot, with a point system of 10-7-5-3-2-1.

TUCSON (106-56, No. 1 seed)

Tucson finished the year atop the standings thanks in large part to their pitching with a league-best 3.03 ERA. No batter dominated the leaderboards and the King Snakes didn't have anyone crack 100 RBI or 100 runs but they had four batters with least 29 HRs.

Rookie CF Rafael Ortega came on strong in the second half, finishing 2nd in the batting race (.333) to Harper as well as RC/27 (8.1) and OPS (.949). He also found himself among the league leaders in several categories (.384 OPB, 4th; .565 SLG, T3rd). Ortega swiped 12 bags in 19 attempts.

The knock on his candidacy may be in counting categories, with only 135 starts, he tallied 29 HR and 75 RBI -- a formidable number for a Listach Award contender as a rookie but maybe not enough for the Mitch. The King Snakes instead were led in HR by Matt Olson (36), who also led the team in RBI (91) and runs (88) despite a .239 BA. He was followed by Nolan Arenado (34) and former batting champion Avisail Garcia (33). Trea Turner added 20 HRs, 53 RBI and 86 runs while swiping 16 bases on 17 attempts.

LIVINGSTON (105-57, No. 2 seed)

Juan Soto's 75 RBI might seem paltry but that's not what he's here for. The 2019 DMBL Series MVP sets the table for the Lords of Swing. He drew a league-high 132 walks (versus 128 strikeouts) and K:BB ratio of 1.0, scoring 116 runs and registering an OBP of .421 -- both 2nd only to Philly's Bryce Harper. His 7.9 RC/27 tied with Marietta's Jesse Winker for 4th in the league and his 130.7 RC ranked 3rd, behind Harper and Hillsborough's Byron Buxton. He added 31 HR for good measure.

And when Soto sets the table, Vlad Guerrero, Jr. clears it. The 2022 home run king slammed 51 dongs -- four more than Loudon's Marcus Semien -- to help the Lords of Swing to 276 HRs, 2nd most in the league. He also finished 2nd to Frank Schwindel of Vancouver in RBI with 120. The young slugger ranked 3rd in total bases (356) yet 10th in OPS (.892) and 8th in slugging (.539). He also topped 100 runs to finish 7th with 108 and was 10th in the league in RC (113.4), although his RC/27 of 5.9 didn't rank in the top 10. Of his 158 starts, 126 came at 1B. When you swing hard, sometimes it doesn't go over the fence: Guerrero topped the DMBL with 39 GDP.

PHILLY (97-65, No. 3 seed)

The 2022 Mitchell Award discussion may start and end with Bryce Harper. He was the straw that stirred the Green Rage drink during a 97-win campaign that led to a No. 3 seed.

Harper won the SABRmetric triple crown, leading the league in batting (.338), on-base percentage (.436) and slugging (.641) -- and the latter, by a wide margin (Hillsborough's Byron Buxton was 2nd at .586) -- and of course, OPS (1.077). He found himself at the top of numerous batting categories, including counting categories like hits (207) and runs (128) as well as RC/27 (11.7) -- among the highest in recent years and far ahead of anyone else (Tucson's Rafael Ortega was 2nd with 8.1) -- and RC (178.0) -- also way ahead of the pack, with Buxton 2nd at 131.0, followed by Livingston's Juan Soto with 130.7.

Philly was one of just two teams to average 5 runs a game (the other was Vancouver) so Harper couldn't do it on his own, as much as he tried. He got some help in the lineup thanks to a deadline between with Blue Ridge for Brandon Lowe. His combined numbers could be overshadowed by the split between two teams but you'll find him across the top 10 batting categories: 3rd in SLG (.565), 4th in RBI (116) and 4th in HR (43). He also scored 106 runs (9th) and tied for 6th in extra base hits (77) with three others.

Lowe's 7.4 RC/27 ranked him 6th in the league and 117.0 RC ranked 8th overall. He eclipsed 300 total bases, with his 320 TB ranking 10th in the DMBL and a .911 OPS that tied with Juan Soto for 6th. Specifically in SLG v RHP, Lowe was 2nd only to Harper in the entire DMBL.

Lowe was pretty consistent with both his 2022 squads, where he primarily saw action at 2B:

In 63 games with Philly (58 at 2B, 5 in OF): 18 HR, 47 RBI, 46 runs, in 260 ABs (.277/.351/.550-.901)
In 79 games with Blue Ridge (73 at 2B, 6 in OF): 25 HR and 69 RBI, 60 runs, 306 ABs (.271/.342/.578-.920 OPS).

The production out of that pair could make you overlook Jose Ramirez. In 159 games at 3B, Ramirez blasted a line of .276/.357/.498 with 44 doubles and 26 HR. He didn't eclipsed 100 RBI (99) but scored 107 runs. He swiped 16 bags - in 16 attempts - for a pristine SB%. The only thing keeping him from breaking Bobby Abreu's 2005 record of .967 with Newark was that he fell short of the minimum 20 attempts.

Jared Walsh also contributed with 42 doubles, a team-high 11 IW and a line of .305/.381/.517.

VANCOUVER, (85-77, No. 4 seed)

The league's top offense was led by Frank Schwindel and Cedric Collins. Both finiSchwindel, who made 32 of his 157 starts at 1B with the rest at DH, topped the DMBL in RBI as a rookie with 131 RBI, ahead of Guerrero, on the power of 28 HRs but 58 doubles (which matched Harper). He tied for third in batting (.318) and ranked 9th in RC/27 (7.1). Coincidentally, the teammates tied for 4th in the DMBL in runs created (122.3) with Schwindel ranking 9th and Mullins 10th in RC/27, with 7.1 and 7.0, respectively.

The Iron First got tons of production out of CF, where Mullins led the squad with 31 HRs -- plus 113 RBI, which ranked 6th in the league -- and smacked plenty of extra base hits. His 13 triples tied for the league lead with Nick Madrigal of San Francisco and Brett Phillips (who started the year with San Francisco and went to Tucson in a deadline deal). He also whacked 42 doubles to finished 4th in extra base hits (86) and 5th in total bases (349) in the league.

Mullins ranked 3rd in DMBL with 115 runs and finished 9th in SLG with a line of .290/.343/.538.

MARIETTA (95-67, No. 5 seed)

The Mighty Men got contributions throughout the lineup with no one huge bat but they lots of pop out of CF. Bryan Reynolds was Marietta's most lethal offensive weapon, finishing 9th in the league in total bases (321) to go with 32 HRs and 113 runs.

Giancarlo Staton led the squad with 34 HRs on just 102 hits but a paltry .230/.308/.503 line while Yuri Gurriel managed 96 RBI on just 15 HRs but 36 2Bs. Jesse Winker helped out with 28 HRs, 42 2Bs, 99 runs and 78 RBIs while slashing .307/.372/.562. 

NEWARK (82-80, No. 6 seed)

Like Tucson, Newark banked more on its strong pitching staff than its bats. What offense the Sugar Bears did get usually came from Nick Castellanos, who led the team in most every major batting category: 27 HR, 87 RBI and 87 runs.

ARKANSAS (82-80, No. 7 seed)

The Golden Falcons had six players eclipse 25 HR: Rafael Devers (41) and Salvador Perez (40) -- good for top 10 in the DMBL -- the ageless Nelson Cruz (35), Austin Riley and Franmil Reyes (29), and J.P Crawford (25). It's no wonder they led the league in SLG (.449).

Devers tied with Livingston's Brandon Belt for the league lead in intentional walks with 15. He also ranked 9th in RBI (106) and 10th in extra base hits (76).

POOVEY FARMS (81-81, No. 8 seed)

The Dairy Cows were another squad that contributions from seemingly everywhere but not many players made it onto the league's leaderboards though several stood out. SS Xander Boegarts led the squad in batting (.302) and runs (110) with a line of .302/.361/.517. He was one of four batters with at least 30 HRs (Hunter Renfroe led the team with 38). Shohei Ohtani topped Poovey Farms in RBI with 90 while blasting 34 HRs.

Non-playoff teams

Just because a team doesn't make the postseason doesn't mean they're bereft of offensive talent. While some teams that were light in the hitting, others that didn't qualify for the playoffs have contenders who could make a serious case for the Michell Award.

You get 47 HRs out of a middle infielder, good for 2nd in the league, you'll be in the conversation. Marcus Semien of Loudon (78-84) led the team that led the league in HRs (290). He tied for 6th in extra base hits (77) with three others (Yordan Alvarez, Brandon Lowe and Jose Ramirez) and ranked 4th in AB/HR (13.0). But it was all pop. While Semien eclipsed the century mark in runs (105) and RBI (102) his candidacy could take a hit for his slash line of .227/.310/.509.

Semien got solid support in the lineup as the Lollygaggers were one HR away from having six players eclipse 30 HR on the year, with a cast of potential comeback players of the year: Joey Gallo (39 HR, despite a .185 average and 257 strikeouts, 2nd in DMBL), Joey Votto (36), Max Muncy (31), J.D. Martinez (29 HR, 99 RBI, 38 2B), and Yasmani Grandal (31 HR, 107 BB-113 K).

You could find Hillsborough (74-88) CF Byron Buxton in the top 10 of assorted batting categories. He was almost as prevalent as Bryce Harper among the top 10s. He's a typical candidate from a losing team: How much difference could he make if the Hit Men won 74 games with him? Still, he led the league in extra base hits (106), finished 2nd in several categories (total bases, 376; SLG, .586; RC, 131.0) to Harper, and blasted a league-high 68 doubles while manning CF.

The 28-year-old ranked 10th in batting (.304), 4th in OPS (.929) and 5th in RC/27 (7.7). He was also 3rd in lost art of stolen bases (19) and 4th in SB% (.792). Buxton also led the league in AB/G (4.28).

Hillsborough was hardly a one-man wrecking crew. The Hit Men got significant contributions from Yordan Alvarez matched Buxton in HR (37) and whacked 39 2B to drive in 94 RBI. Former Listach Award winner Pete Alonso continued crushing dongs, with a team-high 39 HR (10th in DMBL) to go with 91 RBI. C.J. Cron cracked 100 RBI (101) with 30 HR and 26 2B. It's almost easy to forget about Listach contenders Tyler O'Neill, who hit 29 HR and 72 RBI while slashing .272/.338.490, and Patrick Wisdom, who blasted 39 HR while striking out a league-high 277 times.

Fernando Tatis, Jr. of El Paso (79-83) finished 3rd in the league in RBI and HR, with 117 and 45, respectively, while playing 162 games at SS for the 79-83 Chihuahuas, who were the last team eliminated from postseason contention. He also ranked 5th in extra base hits with 80 and 7th in total bases (338), to with 12 stolen bases (ranking 10th) against just one caught stealing. When you swing for the fences though, sometimes you miss. Tatis finished 6th in the DMBL with 229 strikeouts. The Chihuahuas also got contributions from youngster Ronald Acuna, Jr. (25 HR, 64 RBI, 74 R, 26 2B, .262/.377/.509) and Paul Goldschmidt (23 HR, 77 RBI, 80 R, 34 2B, .247/.318/.415). Goldschmidt and Marietta's Yuri Gurriel shared the season's longest hitting streak, at 22 games.

Allentown (71-91) didn't exactly sniff the postseason but you're not scrapping the bottom of the barrel for Mitchell Award nominees with the Mules either who featured a fearsome duo of Manny Machado and Kyle Tucker.

Machado batted .285/.333/.499 with 32 HR, 31 2B and 90 Rs. His 116 RBI (87 v. RHP) tied for 4th in the league with Brandon Lowe and he had the second-longest hitting streak at 21 games. Tucker hit .280/.336/.515, with 35 HR and 89 RBI with 36 2B. He also notched 90 R. Combined, the teammates recorded 20 SB (Tucker, 11, Machado 10) and were only caught once (Machado).

Tim Anderson (.318/.342/.466) of Erie (74-88) challenged for the batting crown, ultimately finishing 3rd, tied with Schwindel. He ranked 4th in the league in hits (202), again just behind Schwindel. He and teammate Jazz Chisholm were 9th in SB with 13 with Anderson 7th in SB% (.684) and Chisholm at 5th (.765). Anderson added 18 HR and 69 RBI to his 88 runs scored. Josh Bell slugged a team-high 28 HR and Whit Merrifield topped the squad with 40 2Bs but no one managed to sniff 100 RBI (Bell, 80).

Luis Robert put it together in his sophomore campaign, becoming a bright spot in an otherwise moribund season for Hopatcong (68-94). In 162 games in CF, Robert fashioned an impressive .312/.355/.517 line with 29 HR and 93 RBI to go with 74 R.

He finished 5th in the batting race, 2nd in hits (206),  and 5th in doubles. 6th in RC (119.0), and 6th in total bases (341). The 25-year-old Cuban was especially solid v. LHP, ranking 2nd in the league in SLG vLHP (.729) behind Mike Zunino of Poovey Farms (.809).

Brett Phillips start his year with San Francisco (76-86) but ended up in the playoffs after being dealt to Tucson. He finished with 41 HR, tied for 6th in DMBL, and tied for 3rd in SLG (.565) with Ortega, his future teammate, and Brandon Lowe. Of his 41 long balls, 31 were hit for The Experience before going to to Tucson. That left Darin Ruff (30 HR) and Mike Yastrzemski (28 HR) as the power source in San Francisco but no player reached 100 RBI on the season.

Once Brandon Lowe was dealt to Philly, Bo Bichette was the standout offensive player left in Blue Ridge (76-86). After appearing in 80 games as a rookie with Philly in 2021, the Green Rage dealt him to the Bombers where this past season he split time between SS (96 games) and DH (65 games). He hit a remarkable .293/.343/.463 with 30 HR and 86 RBI, to go with 89 R. He was 5th in the league with 196 hits and 4th in ABs (669). Bichette also tacked on 9 SB against just 1 CS.

Aaron Judge led Sardine City (78-84) with 32 HR but right behind him was George Springer and Matt Chapman, each with 31 HR. Judge led the squad with 103 RBI. 

Corey Seager had a resurgent year, batting .301/.371/.446 with 17 HR, 76 RBI, 93 R and 34 2B while playing all 162 games at SS. He topped the Straphangers with 93 R and 6.1 RC/27.

You won't find many Empire City Trojans (63-99) among the league's batting leaders and for a 99-loss team, there are some offensive numbers to share. Javier Baez blasted a team-high 35 HR with 77 RBI and 218 strikeouts, leading to a line of .233/.277/.452. Empire City also got 27 HRs from Teoscar Hernandez and Kyle Seager, who also shit .212/.266/.416 with 66 RBI in his swan song DMBL season. Jonathan Scoop led the team with a .266 average.