2022 Season Predictions – Claws Up Crew

With the 2022 season underway, I figured I would show my statistical predictions for the two time Gold Glove award winner, Kolten Wong. There are three statistical metrics that I will use to showcase impact which includes batting average, hits, and steals. These numbers will be based on the assumption that Kolten Wong is healthy and getting regular at-bats throughout the 2022 MLB season. With that being said, I predict Kolten to have an astounding season. While he has always been a great defensive player, I will focus on his offensive impact.

First, one of the most important offensive statistics is batting average. Batting average includes how often a player reaches on base from a base-hit. This statistic ranges from 0-1, normally in between .100 and .400 for most players. Throughout Wong’s career, he has maintained a career batting average of .262, which is pretty impressive. In 2021, the average batting average throughout the MLB was .244. Kolten was 0.018 above average which is a large margin for batting average, indicating that Kolten Wong gets on base through base hits at a higher level than the average hitter. Based on his performance last year and throughout his career, I expect Kolten Wong to hit for a .268 batting average. This is higher than his normal batting average throughout his career and since he is entering the prime of his career, I expect a better yearly performance in 2022.

Another important statistic for offensive players is getting on base through base hits. Hits are very important and can ultimately determine the success of not only the player, but the team as well. Kolten Wong is generally a leadoff hitter, which means he hits first in the batting lineup. Players that hit leadoff generally get on base a lot and generate high success rates when hitting a baseball. Kolten Wong had 121 hits last season for the Milwaukee Brewers which was the third most in a season for himself. I expect Wong to generate a ton of hits as he should leadoff for the Milwaukee Brewers and generate many run opportunities for hitters that are lower in the lineup. I expect Wong to have roughly 114 base hits, as he normally will reach these numbers when playing 120+ games which should happen. If he is able to get hot for an extended period of time, I can see Wong reaching as many as 130 hits within the 2022 season which is always a possibility when being a great hitter such as Kolten Wong.

Since Kolten Wong reaches on base often, he tends to steal bases at a decent rate. Stealing a base refers to the act of a player reaching on any base and running towards and touching the next base before any opposing player tags him with the baseball in their glove. Players that can run faster are normally better at stealing bases. Kolten Wong is seen as a player that can run at a faster rate than most which makes him a threat for opposing players. Last year, Wong had 12 stolen bases which isn’t the most impressive but shows he can be sneaky on the base path. I expect Kolten Wong to have even more success stealing bases with a prediction of 14 stolen bases in the 2022 MLB season. This is important as it advances base runners to put them in a better position to score runs. Wong is seen as an athlete with sneaky speed which comes to his advantage when stealing bases.

Kolten Wong is regarded as one of the best defensive fielders at the second base position but his offensive performances are criminally underrated. He has been a consistently solid leadoff hitter for Milwaukee and continues to prove his worth offensively every ballgame. In 2022, I expect Kolten Wong to possess a .268 batting average, 114 base hits, and 14 stolen bases. This would be considered a solid season for Kolten Wong and I fully expect him to reach these numbers and potentially play better than expected. After watching him when he played in St. Louis and then seeing his performance in Milwaukee, it’s easy to see that he has All-Star potential and hopefully will make that leap this year.

Freddy Peralta, aka Fastball Freddy as many fans call him, had a fantastic 2021 season including his first ever All-Star appearance. While he was incredible in 2021, it may be hard to reach similar numbers and production that he put on in 2021. I will give my predictions for his performance throughout the 2022 season barring any potential injuries. I will use three statistics to test his measured performance throughout next season including ERA, Earned Runs Average, Strikeouts, and Home Runs Allowed.

*Freddy Peralta pumping his fist out of excitement*

While I still expect great performances, I do expect him not to play as well as he did last season. Freddy had a 2.81 ERA, Earned Runs Average, which was tied for sixth in all of Major League Baseball. Throughout his four year career he possesses a 3.87 ERA. I project him to be similar to the player he was last year maintaining a 3.25 ERA. The reason why I expect his performance to lower is due to the changing of the game as his primary pitch, his fastball, to be more easily read by hitters since he has thrown enough innings for hitters to scout his pitches. When a pitcher doesn’t diversify his pitches, they can be easily read by hitters.

Freddy Peralta has proven he deserves his respect throughout all of Major League Baseball with his incredible high rising fastball that tricks hitters of all shapes and sizes. He gained the nickname “Fastball Freddy” with the high usage of his fastball pitch. With the increase in velocity and the spinning of the seams, it creates a very dangerous pitch for opposing hitters. Based on last year, Freddy Peralta averaged roughly five innings per starting appearance. Assuming he pitches every game barring any injury, he would pitch in 32 different starting appearances. With the current rate of 12.1 strikeouts per nine innings throughout his career, he is on pace for roughly 215 strikeouts this upcoming season which would break his past career high in 2021. This number will be hard to attain as it’s unlikely that he stays healthy throughout the season as if he has even the slightest discomfort, staff and coaches will let him rest for an appearance to make sure it’s not more serious.

Something that hurt Freddy Peralta early in his career was his inability to stop the home run ball. Since he throws fastballs more often than not, it creates a door for power hitters to crank the high velocity pitch out of the ballpark. Throughout his career he has averaged 1.0 home runs per nine innings which is considered high and can lose ball games in close scenarios. Freddy has given up 39 home runs throughout his first four seasons which is equivalent to roughly ten home runs per season. I expect him to give up around 17 home runs due to the increase in innings pitched and due to the fact that it’s hard to not give up home runs when fastballs are thrown often. While giving up 17 home runs in a season is not an insanely high amount, it puts Freddy in a middle tier in terms of giving up home runs and could be costly for the Brewers.

Freddy Peralta is an All-Star caliber talent and could very much play beyond expectations for this upcoming 2022 season. As stated earlier, I predict Freddy to possess a 3.25 ERA, Earned Runs Average, with 215 strikeouts while giving up 17 total home runs throughout the season. Freddy Peralta signed a contract that has him playing in Milwaukee for four more seasons, which will hopefully result in more winning success and bring the Brewers back into the MLB playoffs. I hope for Freddy to have an even better season than his 2021 season which could result in another All-Star appearance.