MLB made a change on Friday that impacted catcher Ryan Jeffers.
Ryan Jeffers has been one of the Minnesota Twins best hitters this season, and his strong start has been one of the few bright spots for a team still trying to find its footing.
The 28-year-old catcher has emerged as a consistent offensive force, entering Friday with a .421 on-base percentage, .927 OPS, four home runs and 20 RBIs across 24 games. In a lineup that has struggled to produce consistently, Jeffers has carried a significant share of the load.
And on Friday, his numbers received an unexpected boost. During Thursday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Jeffers hit a pop up in the infield. The Blue Jays were unable to catch the ball and it landed in the grass.
However, Blue Jays infielder Kazuma Okamoto threw the ball away at second base trying to get the force out, as Jeffers teammate Byron Buxton was on first base when the ball was hit.
However, MLB changed their ruling on Friday just one day later. Instead of ruling it as a fielders choice, which does not impact batting average, MLB changed it to a single. This actually had a dramatic effect on Jeffers batting average, improving it from .291 to .304 (h/t Dan Hayes of The Athletic.
Jeffers is entering his final year of team control, and his performance this season has made him one of the Twins most valuable players and one of their most intriguing trade candidates.
Minnesota sits at 14-18 and appears headed for a retooling year, making Jeffers a logical piece to move if the front office decides to capitalize on his value before he reaches free agency.
But beyond the trade speculation, Jeffers remains a crucial presence in the clubhouse. Now in his seventh season with the Twins, he is one of the few veteran voices on a young roster and has been a steadying influence during a difficult first month.
Drafted in the second round of the 2018 MLB Draft, Jeffers has spent his entire career in Minnesota and has grown into a respected leader when he is available. Jeffers has played 100+ games just twice during his tenure.
The Twins will need every bit of his production and leadership as they try to climb back into contention. And with MLB's scoring change giving his numbers an extra bump, Jeffers hot start looks even stronger as the season moves forward. Minnesota will take on the Blue Jays for the second of a three-game set, looking to win a second straight.