MLB All-Star break: A look at Josh Palacios’ first half numbers
Major League Baseball returns to action following a four-day break on Friday. Leading up to the conclusion of the MLB All-Star break, Auburn Wire has taken a look at how each active former Tiger has performed during the first half of the 2023 season.
Next up is Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Josh Palacios.
Palacios played just one season for Auburn, transferring to the Plains after spending time at San Jacinto College. In 2016, Palacios hit .385 with 55 hits, five home runs, and 23 RBI in 34 games. He fielded at a .957 clip and committed just three errors.
He would go on to be drafted No. 132 overall by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2016, and he would make his debut with the franchise in 2021. Outside of playing for the Blue Jays, Palacios spent the 2022 season with the Washington Nationals before signing with the Pittsburgh Pirates ahead of the 2023 season.
Palacios has gotten comfortable in Pittsburgh, as he has already smashed several personal records in just 39 games.
Here’s a look at Palacios’ first half numbers with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Average: .235
The Pirates still have 72 games remaining in the regular season, but Palacios is currently having his best season at the plate. He has remained above the Mendoza line during his three-year career, hitting .200 in 2021 in Toronto and raising it to .213 last season with Washington.
Hits: 24
The trend continues with this stat. Palacios recorded 17 hits total over the last two seasons. So far in July, Palacios has four hits in 19 at-bats.
Home runs: 1
After two seasons of trying, Palacios finally recorded his first home run of his professional career in 2023. He crushed a solo home run in Pittsburgh’s 7-5 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on June 2.
RBI: 13
Palacios has, unsurprisingly, blown this stat away as well compared to previous years. Entering the season, he had six total RBI, and he has now more than doubled it. He has not had many opportunities to hit with runners in scoring position, but he has flashed the “clutch gene” when given the opportunity. He is 2-for-4 with runners in scoring position, and he has scored four runs.
When to watch him next
Josh Palacios and the Pittsburgh Pirates will kick off the second half of the MLB season on Friday night when they begin a three-game set with the San Francisco Giants at PNC Park.
