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Diamondbacks' Jose Fernandez off to insane start in crucial stat
TL;DR
Jose Fernandez of the Arizona Diamondbacks is having an exceptional start, achieving six hits in eight high-leverage situations, making him one of the clutchest players in baseball.
Diamondbacks' Jose Fernandez off to insane start in crucial stat originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
In the early going, Jose Fernandez has a case as the clutchest player in baseball.
The Arizona Diamondbacks hitter has come to the plate eight times in situations denoted as "high leverage," which is determined by game state -- and he has six hits in those spots.
That's by far the best ratio of anyone near the top of the MLB leaderboard:
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It's been quite the start to a career for the 22-year old from Venezuela, who hadn't made it to the MLB level before this season.
Overall, Fernandez is 12-for-36 (.333) with two home runs and a steal. He has already shown he can play both corner infield spots.
The 6-foot-3 athlete has both power and speed, and he actually finished the weekend on a five-game hitting streak, too.
Fernandez goes to the plate looking to swing the bat, which can help in high-leverage spots if he makes contact. He hasn't walked yet this season. He does have nine strikeouts in 36 at bats, but he's come through enough when it has mattered the most.
The Diamondbacks likely were hoping for solid contributions from Fernandez this season and beyond but probably not figuring he'd start this hot.
But sometimes, you utilize the bat that's working, and so far, Fernandez is working in the desert.
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Q&A
What is Jose Fernandez's performance in high-leverage situations this season?
Jose Fernandez has recorded six hits in eight high-leverage situations, showcasing his clutch performance.
How does Jose Fernandez's clutch hitting compare to other MLB players?
Fernandez has the best ratio of hits in high-leverage situations among players at the top of the MLB leaderboard.
What defines a high-leverage situation in baseball?
A high-leverage situation in baseball is determined by the game state, indicating moments where the outcome is critical to the game's result.
