15 Jul The Electric Stars of MLB’s First Half of the Season

Posted at 13:25h in Uncategorized
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So far this season, Major League Baseball has lit up social media feeds through highlight reels, jaw-dropping stats, and the familiar and new personalities driving America’s pastime. By analyzing post-level data from MLB, its teams, and major media entities, we sought to find a clearer picture of which players truly dominated the digital conversation leading into the All-Star break.

This analysis tracked mentions of player names across organic posts, measuring metrics like engagements, views/impressions, video views, engagement rate, and estimated social value. Here’s what the numbers revealed:

Shohei Ohtani: The Undisputed King of Engagement

There’s no surprise at the top. Shohei Ohtani led every major metric:

  • 164 million+ engagements
  • 452 million+ impressions
  • 234 million video views
  • $29.9 million in social value
  • 915 organic posts from top sports accounts

The reigning NL MVP has continued to defy belief, now anchoring the Dodgers’ rotation and middle of the order. His two-way dominance—posting a sub-3.00 ERA and leading the National League in home runs—has made him the most marketable athlete in baseball, possibly all of sports. His digital shadow is unmatched.

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The Power of Performance: Judge, Skenes, and Acuña Shine

Aaron Judge isn’t far behind, with 137 million engagements and 342 million impressions. Judge’s torrid first half, which includes 30+ home runs and an OPS over 1.000, paired with his iconic status as Yankees captain, keeps him entrenched as a household name.

Last year’s rookie phenom Paul Skenes has continued to take the league by storm. In only a few months, he’s generated 53 million+ engagements and 138 million impressions, thanks to triple-digit fastballs and viral strikeout montages. He’s proof that even new faces can dominate the social space if the performance and intrigue are strong.

Former NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr., who made a triumphant return from an ACL injury, and longtime Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, who recently became the 20th pitcher in MLB history to surpass 3,000 career strikeouts, round out the top 5. Their stories highlight how both resilience and historic achievements can energize fan engagement and drive digital buzz.

Rookie Watch: Jacob Misiorowski Making Noise

Another breakout rookie on the rise is Jacob Misiorowski of the Milwaukee Brewers. Though still building his MLB résumé, Misiorowski’s electric stuff and intimidating mound presence have already earned him significant digital attention. His name appeared in hundreds of high-engagement posts, particularly during his dominant call-up stretch. With an upper-90s fastball and a wipeout slider, he’s quickly becoming a fan favorite and a key figure in the Brewers’ postseason hopes.

Star Power Isn’t Just Stats

While on-field excellence helps, some stars transcend the box score. Players like Fernando Tatis Jr., Mookie Betts, and Elly De La Cruz rank highly in engagement rates and video views thanks to swagger, flair, and a social-media-friendly style of play. Elly’s electric baserunning clips and Betts’ highlight defensive plays are tailor-made for viral traction.

What Teams and Brands Can Learn

This data set is more than a leaderboard; it’s a case study in digital influence. For teams and partners:

  • Player marketing matters. Giving stars camera time and authentic content opportunities can dramatically amplify reach.
  • Short-form video wins. The highest video views correlate with clips that showcase emotion, athleticism, or surprise—elements that encourage sharing.
  • Invest in young stars early. Skenes, Elly, and Misiorowski show that fresh narratives can drive serious value when strategically promoted.

Final Thought

Social media is where fandom grows, evolves, and spreads. Understanding who drives that conversation—and why—should be mission-critical for baseball’s growth strategy. These players, and especially the top-tier influencers like Ohtani, Judge, and Skenes, are the face of modern baseball. Their highlights are more than just content—they’re commerce, community, and culture in motion.

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