As the season heats up, so do the bats and arms. Some players are getting it done with raw power, others with elite pitching — and a few are doing both. With over a month of action in the books, here are your top 10 hitters and pitchers.

First, the hitters…

1) Kyle Pileski, INF/OF/DH, Middletown Mets 

.462 AVG / .500 OBP / 1.077 SLG / 1.577 OPS

The league’s most explosive bat so far. Pileski is punishing pitchers with two home runs, two doubles, and seven RBI in just 13 at-bats. His bat speed is matching his stat line — unreal.

2) Baylor LaPointe — Rainbow Graphics

.625 AVG / .625 OBP / .875 SLG / 1.500 OPS

Small sample? Sure. But there’s nothing small about LaPointe’s numbers. A .625 clip at the plate and power to match. Oh — and he’s also been lights out on the mound. Two-way superstar?

3) Will Kleinhenz — Middletown Mets

.500 AVG / .591 OBP / .667 SLG / 1.258 OPS

One of the most complete offensive profiles in the league. Kleinhenz pairs elite contact with plate discipline and extra-base power. His 13 total times on base in six games leads the league.

4) Ian Halpin — Vernon Orioles

.455 AVG / .500 OBP / .727 SLG / 1.227 OPS

Halpin’s hot start includes three doubles in just 11 at-bats. Don’t be surprised if he climbs even higher with more reps. Quietly elite.

5) Dan Steiner — Rainbow Graphics

.533 AVG / .533 OBP / .667 SLG / 1.200 OPS

No walks, no strikeouts — just laser-focused contact. Steiner has been a model of consistency, and the batting average says it all.

6) Chris Lusignan — Rainbow Graphics

.429 AVG / .526 OBP / .571 SLG / 1.098 OPS

An OBP machine with gap-to-gap power, Lusignan is making pitchers pay for any mistakes in the zone. Smart, selective, and dangerous.

7) Jack Halpin — Vernon Orioles

.455 AVG / .500 OBP / .545 SLG / 1.045 OPS

Halpin delivers every time he steps in the box. A high-contact bat with underrated power and wheels to match.

8) Nick Roy — Vernon Orioles

.417 AVG / .417 OBP / .583 SLG / 1.000 OPS

Roy might be the most quietly productive hitter so far. Just 12 at-bats, but already five hits and a triple. Pure impact.

9) Matt Costanza — Rainbow Graphics

.400 AVG / .591 OBP / .400 SLG / .991 OPS

The league’s most patient hitter. He’s drawn six walks, swiped five bases, and scored four runs. Speed and smarts on full display.

10) Sean Jefferson — Middletown Mets

.294 AVG / .478 OBP / .471 SLG / .949 OPS

Jefferson has been rock-solid in the outfield and a force in the batter’s box. His six walks leads all outfielders — and his lone homer was a no-doubter.

And now on to the pitchers….

1) Jason Ray — Vernon Orioles

10.0 IP • 0.00 ERA • 0.70 WHIP • 15 K

Ray has been simply untouchable. Two starts, zero earned runs, and 15 punchouts. Hitters haven’t figured him out — and might not all season. Ace stuff.

2) Leif Bigelow — Middletown Mets

12.0 IP • 1.17 ERA • 1.00 WHIP • 16 K

Bigelow’s been a bulldog: Two wins, 16 strikeouts, and barely a mistake across 12 dominant innings. He’s giving ace vibes with every start.

3) AJ Rooks — Rainbow Graphics

10.0 IP • 0.70 ERA • 1.00 WHIP • 8 K

Rooks isn’t flashy; he’s just filthy. Mixing speeds and inducing weak contact. That ERA speaks volumes.

4) Nick Worthington — South Windsor Phillies

7.0 IP • 1.00 ERA • 0.86 WHIP

Worthington only made one start, but it was masterful. Just three hits and a walk over seven innings. The definition of lockdown.

5) Kai Cottle — Middletown Mets

6.1 IP • 1.15 ERA • 0.82 WHIP • 9 K / 0 BB

Maybe the most efficient pitcher in the league. Cottle’s got pinpoint control — Nine Ks, 0 walks — and elite command in relief.

6) Charlie Hesseltine — Record-Journal Expos

7.0 IP • 2.00 ERA • 1.00 WHIP • 12 K

Only one start, but Hesseltine made it count. A complete effort with 12 strikeouts and filthy stuff throughout.

7) Baylor LaPointe — Rainbow Graphics

7.0 IP • 1.00 ERA • 1.00 WHIP

Quiet dominance from the two-way star. He’s not only mashing at the plate — he’s keeping opponents off the scoreboard on the bump.

8) Anthony Mierez — Vernon Orioles

6.0 IP • 1.17 ERA • 8 K

A reliable arm out of the bullpen, Mierez has been a strikeout threat and kept runs off the board. A trusted fireman.

9) Ben Darrow — M&T Bank

7.2 IP • 1.94 ERA • 6 K

Darrow’s ERA is strong, but a high WHIP (1.94) holds him back a bit. Still, he’s navigating traffic and getting outs when it matters.

10) JD Tyler — Record-Journal Expos

13.0 IP • 3.23 ERA • 9 K • 2 CG

He’s the innings-eater every rotation dreams of. Two complete games already on his résumé. Workhorse mentality, high-impact volume.

Author: Jonathan Richter, jsrichter@ghtbl.org