MLB Hits Leader Jed Lowrie Tops Red-Hot Oakland A’s Lineup

by Matt George – Sports 1140 KHTK Reporter

They lead the MLB in hits, are 2nd in batting average, 2nd in RBIs, 3rd in runs scored, 4th in doubles and 5th in home runs. Not to mention top three in on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS. If there is an offensive statistical category, the Oakland Athletics are at the top.

The young and explosive Oakland offense was expected to be prolific this season, but few expected such a start. 23 games into the season and the A’s have already managed 221 hits, 12 more than the 2nd place Los Angeles Angles. They have scored 123 runs, averaging nearly six a game, with all but five off of RBIs. And, all but one of their frequent starters are batting above .250.

Oakland has multiple top-10 individual batters in hits, runs scored, total bases, and RBIs. Young third baseman Matt Chapman is tied at the top of the league in triples, slugger Khris Davis is in the top-five in RBIs, and Marcus Semien is 4th in total runs scored.

But there is one man in particular, Oakland’s 34-year-old second baseman, that has been at the forefront of the Athletics’ offensive success; Jed Lowrie.

After breaking the A’s single-season doubles record last season, finishing 2017 with 49 two-baggers, Lowrie has carried over his offensive success into 2018. The switch-hitting veteran has been leading by example, top of the team in every major statistical category; batting average (.357), hits (35), home runs (6), RBIs (23), and OBP (.411).

https://twitter.com/BallparkVids/status/987567201925390336

Not only are his 35 hits at the top of his team, it’s best in the league. Lowrie currently stands at the top off the mountain, just above former MVP Jose Altuve and last week’s co-AL Player of the Week Manny Machado. But that’s not all, Lowrie also is top-3 in batting average, RBIs, and total bases among names like Mike Trout and Didi Gregorius.

Oakland Manager Bob Melvin spoke with NBCSN’s Brodie Brazil about Lowrie’s offensive success.

More on Jed Lowrie’s recent offensive surge from Bob Melvin.#RootedInOakland pic.twitter.com/lCdXDIxe5p

— Brodie Brazil (@BrodieNBCS) April 18, 2018

Naturally, with the numbers he is putting up,  Lowrie has been getting a lot of national attention from around the league. MLB Network’s Bill Ripken called him an “RBI machine” on MLB Tonight.

"He is an RBI machine."

Bill Ripken breaks down @Athletics infielder Jed Lowrie. #MLBTonight pic.twitter.com/3jRzHr0lWm

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) April 19, 2018

The Oakland Athletics proudly call themselves a young team on the rise. However, don’t let that title fool you. There are a great deal of veterans on this roster that compliment the youth beautifully.

Jed Lowrie and the Oakland bats have been a nightmare so far this season for opposing pitchers. We shouldn’t expect that to end any time soon.

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