NEW YORK – In a thrilling conclusion to the Major League Baseball season, Houston’s Yordan Alvarez and Arizona’s Gabriel Moreno secured their first batting titles on Sunday. Meanwhile, Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski made history by becoming only the fourth pitcher since 1950 to lead the majors in ERA, strikeouts, and opponents’ batting average.
Alvarez finished with a .316 batting average, marking the lowest for a major league batting champion. This average is notably below the previous record held by Dick Groat, who achieved .325 with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1960. Furthermore, Alvarez’s performance represents the lowest for an American League winner since the legendary Carl Yastrzemski’s .301 in 1968. “The batting title was something I always wanted,” Alvarez expressed, highlighting the significance of this achievement in his career.
Gabriel Moreno, who edged out Philadelphia’s Luis Arraez for the National League crown, became the fifth player to win a batting championship with at least 50 starts at catcher, joining the ranks of baseball greats such as Buster Posey and Joe Mauer. Moreno’s final average was .311, just one percentage point above Arraez, who was unable to compete in the last series due to a sprained ankle. “It’s something that you dream of when you’re playing baseball since you’re 3 years old,” Moreno remarked.
The season marked a notable trend, as only seven qualified big leaguers hit .300 or better, tying it with 2024 and 2025 for the fewest since a record-low six in 1968. Colorado’s TJ Rumfield managed to reach .300 but was removed from the game shortly thereafter, underscoring the competitive nature of this year’s hitting statistics.
On the pitching front, Misiorowski recorded an impressive 252 strikeouts, a 1.80 ERA, and an opponents’ batting average of .157. This accomplishment places him in an elite category, as only Sandy Koufax in 1965, J.R. Richard in 1979, and Mike Scott in 1986 have achieved this trifecta since 1950. Misiorowski’s opponents’ batting average is the lowest recorded since 1900 for a pitcher with at least 100 innings pitched, surpassing Pedro Martinez’s .167 in 2000. “Honestly, being able to go in week in and week out and perform for my teammates, I think that’s the biggest thing,” he shared, reflecting on his dedication and consistency throughout the season.
In addition to Misiorowski’s achievements, Cam Schlittler of the New York Yankees won the American League ERA title with a remarkable 1.95, while Houston set an unusual record for the lowest winning percentage by a first-place team at .500 with an 81-81 mark that clinched the AL West.
Colson Montgomery of the Chicago White Sox made headlines by setting a new season record for strikeouts by a batter with 227, surpassing Mark Reynolds’ previous record from 2009. Meanwhile, Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia’s Kyle Schwarber tied for the league lead in home runs, each hitting 45, while Pete Alonso led the AL with 43 after transitioning to the Orioles.
Alec Burleson of St. Louis topped the NL in RBIs with 116, and Alonso again showcased his prowess by leading the AL with 113, making him the first player to win an RBI title in both leagues. Additionally, Pittsburgh’s Bryan Reynolds led the league in doubles with 40, while Washington’s Nasim Nuñez topped the majors with 49 stolen bases.
This season also witnessed a notable absence of 20-game winners, with Cristopher Sánchez of Philadelphia and Sonny Gray of Boston tying for the league lead in wins at 18. Since Atlanta’s Spencer Strider achieved this milestone in 2023, the league has seen a significant shift in pitching dynamics.
As the season concludes, baseball fans are left reflecting on a year filled with historic achievements and impressive performances. The contributions of players like Alvarez, Moreno, and Misiorowski not only highlight individual excellence but also signal the evolving landscape of Major League Baseball.
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AP Sports Writer Greg Beacham and AP freelance writers Adam Camarena and Matt Carlson contributed to this report.
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See AP’s full MLB coverage here.
