🧢 This Week in U.S. Baseball: Highlights, Stats & Tips You Can Use (May 19–25, 2025)

🧢 This Week in U.S. Baseball: Highlights, Stats & Tips You Can Use (May 19–25, 2025)

Whether you’re a seasoned baseball fan, a youth coach, or just getting into the game, keeping up with weekly trends across all levels of American baseball—MLB, minor leagues, and high school—can teach you a lot about the sport’s direction and how to get better at playing. Here’s what stood out this week and how it can help you step up your game.

⚾ Major League Baseball (MLB): News & Top Performers

🔥 Who’s Hot This Week?

• Agustín Ramírez (Miami Marlins) exploded with a 3-for-4 game, driving in 4 runs including a first-inning homer. His compact swing and quick hands are a clinic in situational hitting.

• Walker Buehler (Boston Red Sox) returned to action, showing dominant stuff with four strikeouts in just 2⅓ innings before an unexpected ejection. His early velocity and pitch tunneling offer key takeaways for aspiring pitchers.

📰 This Week’s Headlines

• Dodgers Looking to Deal: LA is reportedly pursuing a midseason trade for Colorado Rockies' 3B Ryan McMahon, a sign they’re doubling down on both offense and infield stability.

• Mets in a Slump: Losing 5 of 6 games, the Mets' cold streak prompted owner Steve Cohen to reassure fans to "stay the course." Pitching inconsistencies and poor clutch hitting are dragging them down.

🧢 Minor League System Watch: Building the Future

The minor leagues are where tomorrow’s MLB stars sharpen their tools—and this week saw some notable developments:

• Cubs Promotions: Brayden Riesdorph, Sam Thoresen, and Hayden Cantrelle all earned bumps within the system. Carlos Pérez stood out as International League Player of the Week, showcasing power and plate discipline.

• White Sox Prospects: Colson Montgomery went 3-for-4 with Triple-A Charlotte, while Jeral Perez’s 3-run homer made waves in High-A ball.

These players are honing fundamentals like swing consistency, defensive angles, and two-strike approaches—skills that even amateur players can practice daily.

🏫 High School Baseball Trends: The Pipeline

🏆 Elite Programs in Focus

• IMG Academy (FL) continues to dominate the national rankings with a 24-1 record. Their roster development and strength training model are the gold standard for high school ball.

🧑🎓 Player Spotlight

• Jaret Stockstill (Midland Christian, TX) is turning heads with a .407 batting average, 41 runs, and 13 stolen bases. His all-around game reflects modern prep baseball: speed, contact, and defensive IQ.

High school players are also integrating data analytics into their routines, studying launch angles and exit velocity—a trend we’ll see more in the coming years.

📊 MLB Stat Leaders: Batters & Pitchers

🥇 Batting Averages (as of May 21)

Alonso’s surge is driven by elite barrel rate and zone discipline. His patience and ability to attack fastballs early in the count can be a model for hitters of any level.

🥇 Pitching ERA Leaders

Will Warren’s efficiency with location and first-pitch strikes is a reminder that command often trumps raw velocity in long-term success.

🧠 Learn From the Pros: Baseball Skills You Should Practice

Watching is learning, but applying it takes your game to the next level. Here are a few professional-grade skills to work on now—no matter your level.

✅ Top Training Tips This Week

1. Master the Outside Pitch

   • Hit the ball deep in the zone; don’t reach. Use tee drills aimed toward opposite field to simulate game conditions.

2. Improve Footwork & Agility

   • Ladder drills and cone-based sprints sharpen your reactions and make you a more efficient base runner or infielder.

3. Study Elite Players at Your Position

   • Watch MLB film clips to understand glove positioning, footwork, and throwing mechanics.

4. Work on Patience at the Plate

   • A good hitter sees more pitches. Try tracking pitches without swinging during cage work to build vision and discipline.

5. Develop Pre-Pitch Routines

   • Watch how pros breathe, step, and reset before each pitch. Consistency reduces in-game anxiety.

🎯 Final Thoughts

This week’s baseball story isn’t just about stars on TV—it’s about how fundamentals, mindset, and adaptability shape every level of the game. Whether you’re watching Pete Alonso torching fastballs or Jaret Stockstill stealing third, there’s always something to learn.

If you’re playing, coaching, or just a fan, remember: baseball is a skill sport. The more you practice like the pros, the closer you get to playing like them.