As the 2026 MLB season approaches its one-third point, several notable trends have surfaced across the league.
Fernando Tatis Jr. has gone 197 plate appearances without a home run entering Tuesday's games. Despite strong contact metrics, including a 92.1 mph average exit velocity, his increased opposite-field approach has limited power output.
The San Diego Padres sit at 29-20 and trail the Los Angeles Dodgers by just 1 1/2 games in the NL West, yet their top hitters have posted disappointing numbers through nearly two months of the 2026 season.
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San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis Jr. has recorded one of the highest hard-hit rates in Major League Baseball this season. Despite the strong contact, he has yet to hit a home run and is batting just .242 with an OPS+ of 71.
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker has started the 2026 MLB season strongly, hitting eight home runs in 18 games to lead the league through April 16. The 23-year-old is batting .319 with a .373 on-base percentage, .710 slugging percentage and 1.083 OPS. His performance follows swing adjustments amid an organizational emphasis on urgency.
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Major League Baseball pitchers are on pace for another record season in fastball velocity. The average four-seam fastball sits at 94.6 mph, up slightly from last year. This continues a long-term shift toward higher speeds across the league.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. broke out of a slump with a powerful home run to help the Toronto Blue Jays defeat the Detroit Tigers 4-1 on Sunday. The blast marked his third homer of the year and came at a critical time for the struggling slugger.