DuluthRoots

The above chart shows Arraez's on-base percentage (as well as the on-base percentage of his teammates as a group) after combining all the at-bats that had a given count. So for example, his on-base percentage from a 0-0 count is his published on-base percentage (an AL-high 0.420) and his on-base percentage from 1-0 is his on-base percentage for all at-bats that begin with a ball. Here are the things that stand out:
Luis Arraez is better at getting on base from every count than his teammates. That's not a huge surprise. Arraez is better from an 0-1 count (0.333 on-base percentage) than his teammates are from 0-0 (0.312 on-base percentage). In fact, only 5 Twins hitters have higher on-base percentages from 0-0 than Arraez from 0-1 counts. Getting to 2 strikes doesn't faze Arraez much. Look at the loss in on-base percentage for his Twins peers in going from 0-1 to 0-2 or 1-1 to 1-2. It's substantial. But not so for Arraez. He loses barely any on-base percentage from taking a second strike. From 0-2 counts, Arraez has an incredible 0.300 on-base percentage. He's more likely to get on base behind 0-2 than are Byron Buxton, Jose Miranda, Ryan Jeffers, and Gary Sanchez from empty counts. Falling behind Arraez in the count is a death sentence for pitchers. He has a 0.513 on-base percentage from 1-0 counts and a 0.733 on-base percentage (!) from 2-0 counts. The hallmark of a great contact hitter is the lack of any clear weakness to exploit.  Because of his ability to handle the bat and trouble pitchers from any count, Arraez clearly has that trait. He's a savant at the plate and now a deserving All-Star.
 
 
 

When NASA astronomer Steve Bland observed a new asteroid hurtling through space earlier this month, he was alarmed. The object was clearly on a path that would send it directly towards Earth. “Obviously, that’s a nightmare scenario,” said Bland. “Even a relatively small object could wreak havoc on the impact area.”
Further study relieved Bland and his co-workers when it was determined that the asteroid, named 2021 SB, would disintegrate rapidly upon entering the planet’s atmosphere. However, there was one note of concern.
“Just from following the course it’s travelling through our solar system, there is zero doubt in my mind that it’s definitely going to land on top of Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton,” said Bland.
It’s estimated that 2021 SB will be the size of a golf ball once it reaches Buxton and will likely end its grand celestial journey on his throwing shoulder or right big toe.
“I can’t say I’ve ever seen anything like this before,” admitted Bland. "Most asteroids do not target individuals."
The Twins say they’ve been notified by NASA of the situation.
“It’s not an existential threat to all human life but Byron is for sure going to be out indefinitely,” said Twins manager Rocco Baldelli. “We spoke with Byron and he’s as disappointed as we are.”
Officials say the asteroid will likely reach Buxton immediately after his left hand is fully healed from the fracture suffered during Monday’s game versus Cincinnati.
“2021 SB actually appeared to slow down on Monday evening,” said Bland. “It was on pace to get here on Wednesday but now looks like it’s taking its sweet time. Yes, that’s unusual.”
Although Bland didn’t want to speculate on the actual date, time, and location, sources close to the team say they expect the space object to injure Buxton on his first day back with the Twins or on a St. Paul rehab assignment when he’s signing autographs for impressionable young children.