Bo Bichette is currently on a remarkable hitting streak, showcasing his exceptional talent at the plate. After an impressive performance where he went 5-for-5 in a loss to the Detroit Tigers on Sunday, Bichette continued his onslaught with hits in his first four at-bats against the Baltimore Orioles on Monday, setting a new franchise record for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Bichette's achievement of recording hits in nine consecutive at-bats makes him the first player in Blue Jays history to reach this milestone. The previous record was shared among Rance Mulliniks, Paul Molitor, Tony Fernandez, and Adam Lind, each of whom had hits in eight consecutive trips to the plate. This feat emphasizes Bichette’s growing impact and consistency as a versatile shortstop for the team.
Starting his impressive streak against the Tigers, Bichette collected four singles and a double, with his first three hits coming off Tigers starter Jack Flaherty. He then added two more hits against the bullpen, showcasing his ability to capitalize on pitching mistakes and maintain high performance under pressure.
Continuing this momentum against the Orioles, Bichette was able to extend his hitting streak through a series of fortunate batted balls, achieving three hits on Monday against pitcher Zach Eflin. The exit velocities of his hits were noted at 73.7, 64.3, and 71.4 mph, demonstrating how Bichette was able to leverage both skill and luck in his approach at the plate. His final hit of the game occurred in the seventh inning, a 100 mph single off pitcher Colin Selby, which crossed a deflected ball by Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson, highlighting Bichette’s alertness and ability to make the most out of challenging situations.
The significance of Bichette’s achievement is further underscored by the all-time Major League Baseball (MLB) record for consecutive at-bats with a hit, which stands at 12. This prestigious mark has been reached by four players historically, with Jose Miranda being the most recent to do so in 2024 while playing for the Minnesota Twins. Notably, this feat also includes distinguished players such as Walt Dropo (1952), Pinky Higgins (1938), and Johnny Kling (1902). Bichette's current streak places him in immense company with Miranda, being the first player in the Expansion Era to achieve such consistency, as well as being the 14th player since 1961 to manage a hit in ten or more consecutive at-bats.
As Bo Bichette continues to build upon his record-setting performance, the focus will undoubtedly remain on his ability to maintain this level of play in the highly competitive environment of Major League Baseball. His combination of skill, timing, and strategic awareness will be crucial as he seeks to break larger records and help propel the Blue Jays through the current season.