Joey Wiemer, MLB's Hottest Hitter, Has Come Out of Nowhere for the Nationals

[ad_1] The most popular hitter to start out the 2026 MLB season has come out of nowhere.

Washington Nationals outfielder Joey Wiemer reached base on every of his first 12 plate appearances. He went 3-for-3 on Opening Day with a house run and a stroll, and adopted that up with the identical statline on Sunday, serving to the Nationals to 2 wins over the Chicago Cubs. He continued that sizzling begin on Monday, when he went 2-for-4 with a run in Washington's 13-2 win in opposition to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Wiemer has batted throughout the lineup, hitting fifth on Opening Day and on Sunday, and batting ninth on Monday. He is made probably the most of his alternative as Wiemer wasn't anticipated to be on Washington's main league roster to start out the season.

Wiemer tied a major-league document by reaching base in 10 straight at-bats to start out the season. The earlier participant to take action was former first baseman Carlos Delgado, who did it in 2002.

A former fourth-round decide by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2020, Wiemer struggled to start out his profession. Throughout his rookie season in 2023, he slashed .204/.283/.362 for the Brewers with 13 house runs and 42 RBIs throughout 410 plate appearances. Then, throughout his second MLB season, Milwaukee optioned him again right down to Triple-A earlier than buying and selling him to the Cincinnati Reds for starter Frankie Montas, who saved him within the minors after the transfer.

Following the 2024 season, Wiemer was moved in one other commerce — to the Kansas Metropolis Royals, however he was waived and did not seem in a single sport for the group. The Miami Marlins picked up his contract, the place he had a .236 batting common over 61 plate appearances. The identical saga ensued — the Marlins moved on from Weimer, buying and selling him to the San Francisco Giants for money concerns, however he by no means appeared in a sport.

So, he moved onto his sixth crew in 4 seasons, because the Nationals picked up his contract earlier than this season, and he discovered himself in a battle for an outfield spot with Washington's high prospect, Dylan Crews. However Crews struggled in Spring Coaching, hitting .103 in 29 at-bats, and Weimer received the battle for an outfield place.