Jake Alu did not come into the season with many expectations as a 2019 24th-round pick who had a sub .800 OPS in 2021. Alu didn't do much to raise those expectations, as the 25-year-old infielder had a .773 OPS in April, and a .699 OPS in May, both in AA.
Following the mediocre start, Alu began to get it together in June with a .897 OPS, leading to him getting called to AAA Rochester, where he continued his success. Things started to slow down in August as it seemed Alu had met his match vs AAA pitching with a .788 OPS in August. "Seemed" is the keyword here.
Alu erased all doubts about his bat in September with a .409/.442/.761 line for a 1.204 OPS in 23 games! Alu also delivered in the counting stats, slugging eight homers and seven doubles. Alu was so good that many theorized he would end the season as the starting 3B in Washington!
Jake's final line was a .299/.365/.506/.871 triple slash with 20 homers, 40 doubles, and 15 steals in 123 games! This mammoth campaign has significantly shaken the Nationals' plans for next season. Though 25-year-old Carter Kieboom will likely be given the starting job at 3B, Alu could take it from him very well. He's someone to keep an eye on.