Who Will Lead the MLB in Hits?

The MLB's spring training is officially underway, meaning the 2024 season will be here before we know it.

FanDuel Sportsbook is offering a boatload of MLB odds from World Series lines to odds for which player will lead the league in home runs.

In the 2023 season, Ronald Acuna, Freddie Freeman, and Luis Arraez all totaled over 200 hits, which made the race for leading the league in hits an interesting one.

It was the first time since 2017 with at least three players reaching 200 hits. Acuna had the last laugh with a league-best 217 hits. Will we see this same kind of production in the upcoming season? Will Acuna defend his crown?

Let's check out FanDuel Sportsbook's MLB odds for who will lead in hits, followed by a breakdown of the top contenders.

MLB Regular Season Hits Leader Odds

Ronald Acuna Jr. (+750)

On his way to winning his first MVP award, Ronald Acuna Jr. led the MLB in hits, and he's the favorite to repeat the feat in the upcoming season. His 217 hits last season was a career-high by a landslide. His previous high was 175 hits in 2019, which was only the 18th-most in the league.

At 26, Acuna has already established himself as one of the league's top players on one of the best teams out there. The Atlanta Braves have the second-shortest odds to win it all (+450), per FanDuel's MLB World Series odds. He figures to be one of the top contenders for National League MVP once again. In fact, MLB MVP odds have Acuna as the favorite at +500.

With that said, we should expect gaudy numbers out of Atlanta's outfielder once again. He led the league in on-base percentage (OBP) last season while ranking in the 93rd percentile in Savant's barrel percentage, hard-hit percentage, and average exit velocity.

We saw Trea Turner lead the MLB in hits in back-to-back seasons in 2021 and 2020, but Acuna has a tougher task ahead as the 2020 season was shortened for Turner.

Luis Arraez (+800)

After leading the MLB with a .354 batting average in 2023, Luis Arraez has become the contact king at this point. The Miami Marlins' second baseman was sitting in the .400s for a large stretch of the season, and he was in the 100th percentile of expected batting average (xBA) and sweet-spot percentage.

Time and time again, we witnessed Arraez knocking base hits from silly angles. Whether it was inside on his hands or down in the dirt, he found a way to make contact on nearly any ball thrown his way.

If not for injuries, Arraez was on pace for leading the MLB in hits. His 203 hits was the third-best mark and trailed Acuna by only 14 hits; the Braves' superstar played in 12 more games than Arraez.

Considering his elite numbers last season, Arraez is certainly a sound bet to lead the MLB in hits.

Freddie Freeman (+1000)

The Los Angeles Dodgers' Freddie Freeman is no stranger to being among the top of the ranks in hits. In fact, he led the MLB in 2022 with 199 hits. Freeman also ranked second with 211 hits last season, fifth with 180 in 2021, and fourth with 73 in 2020.

After his career-high in hits last season, it makes perfect sense to back Freeman. One could argue he simply chose an unfortunate year to go off as Acuna's 217 hit total was the highest since Jose Altuve's 225 hits in 2014.

After ranking in the 98th percentile of expected weighted on-base average (xwOBA), the 99th percentile of xBA, and the 100th percentile of sweet-spot percentage, we should expect another huge year from Freeman. The Dodgers' first baseman has the third-shortest odds to win NL MVP (+900).

Bo Bichette (+1200)

Along with Arraez, Bo Bichette is looking to take his game to another level by leading the MLB in hits. The Toronto Blue Jays' shortstop posted a career-best .306 batting average in 2023. However, Bichette's hits were down at 175 compared to 189 in 2022 and 191 in 2021. This had to do with his availability as he played in 135 games compared to 159 games in 2022 and 2021.

First and foremost, Bichette must play in more games in the upcoming season to have a shot at recording the most hits. His batting average would likely need to jump up, as well. For comparison, Acuna, Arraez, and Freeman all ranked in the top three of batting average last season, recording hits on at least .331 of their plate appearances.

Going from .306 to at least .330 would be a lot to ask of Bichette, but the 25-year-old infielder is on the rise and could improve his game once more.

Others

Outside of the top four favorites to lead the MLB in hits, Trea Turner, Bobby Witt Jr., and Corey Seager are all +1800. Of course, Turner pulled off the feat in 2020 and 2021, but his batting average was .266 last season -- a career-low for a full season.

Witt, who is entering his third season, is drawing some buzz as some expect the Kansas City Royals' shortstop to make an All-Star-type leap. We certainly saw his growth from year one to year two as he went from 150 to 177 hits and improved his rookie .254 batting average to .276.

Seager enjoyed an excellent season as a key piece for the Texas Rangers, who are the reigning World Series champions. While he recorded a career-best .327 batting average last season, this is a similar situation to Bichette. Seager has shown the potential to lead the league in hits, but he simply must play in more games after being active for only 119 contests in 2023.

Acuna, Arraez, and Freeman are the leaders in the clubhouse for topping the MLB in hits for the 2024 season. All three were in the top three batting averages last season. Will one of the top three gain bragging rights, or will a surprise player crash the party?

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