Each spring I write an article on breakout candidates however this 12 months I took it a step additional and created a 26-man roster of the gamers I believe are most definitely to have “breakout” seasons. My definition for a breakout candidate is just a participant I count on to carry out at a considerably greater stage than their major-league monitor document, or to burst onto the scene and blow away the rookie area. Breakout gamers share frequent traits together with the flexibility to regulate and adapt, a excessive baseball IQ, and great bodily and psychological abilities. As well as, it’s often a participant 26 years previous or youthful.
Right here is my stacked 26-man roster, a position-by-position take a look at the gamers who’re primed for breakout seasons in 2024. There have been not less than a dozen extra who might have made this group. Who’d I miss? Let me know within the feedback.
Catchers
Gabriel Moreno, Diamondbacks
Age: 24
Bats: R Throws: R
Peak: 5-11 Weight: 195
Moreno was a part of probably the most lopsided trades of the 2022-23 offseason, when the Diamondbacks acquired him and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. from the Blue Jays for Daulton Varsho. A transparent win for Arizona. Moreno had a pleasant rookie 12 months, hitting .284 with seven dwelling runs and 50 RBIs whereas impressing defensively to win the primary of seemingly many Gold Glove awards. I count on 2024 to be an enormous 12 months for him offensively. I’m predicting 16-18 dwelling runs with 75-85 RBIs and one other Gold Glove.
Francisco Alvarez, Mets
Age: 22
Bats: R Throws: R
Peak: 5-10 Weight: 233
The younger catcher has impressed by diligently engaged on all features of his recreation. A local Spanish speaker, Alvarez has additionally achieved a tremendous job of studying English, which has helped him talk higher together with his pitchers and different teammates. Most find out about his uncooked energy and skill to close down the operating recreation together with his robust arm, however what stood out to me in spring coaching was how the Mets pitchers raved about his enchancment in framing pitches and recreation calling, alongside together with his work ethic and preparation. He’s doing all the appropriate issues off the sphere to have a breakout 12 months on the sphere.
First basemen
Spencer Torkelson, Tigers
Age: 24
Bats: R Throws: R
Peak: 6-1 Weight: 220
When Torkelson was drafted first total in 2020, I wrote that he would change into a perennial 30-home run, 100-RBI, middle-of-the-order bat. He’s not there but; he did swat 31 homers and drive in 94 runs final 12 months, however he additionally hit simply .233 with an on-base proportion of solely .313. To achieve the following stage, he must be extra constant on the plate and show he can hit the most effective pitchers’ greatest pitch. I believe he can do this this 12 months or subsequent.
Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Reds
Age: 24
Bats: R Throws: R
Peak: 6-0 Weight: 224
The Reds suffered a serious setback this spring when third baseman Noelvi Marte, one of many recreation’s high prospects, was suspended 80 video games for violating the league’s coverage on performance-enhancing medicine. Nonetheless, the suspension creates a chance for Encarnacion-Strand to get full-time at-bats between first base and designated hitter, and I believe he’ll take benefit. Encarnacion-Strand can flat-out hit with energy. Final 12 months in Triple A, he slashed .331/.405/.637 with 20 dwelling runs and 62 RBIs in 278 at-bats. After he was promoted to the majors, he slashed .270/.328/.477 with 13 dwelling runs and 37 RBIs in 222 at-bats. There is no such thing as a doubt in my thoughts he’ll change into a 25-30 dwelling run, middle-of-the-order impression bat and I count on large issues this 12 months.
Second basemen
Edouard Julien, Twins
Age: 24
Bats: L Throws: R
Peak: 6-0 Weight: 195
Julien had a stable rookie 12 months, slashing .263/.381/.459 with 16 doubles, 16 dwelling runs and 37 RBIs as he simply scratched the floor of his potential. Exhibit A is his plate self-discipline, which ranks within the Juan Soto sphere. Julien was within the one hundredth percentile in chase fee and within the 98th percentile in stroll proportion, and once you mix that with being within the 91st percentile in sweet-spot proportion and within the 86th percentile in barrel proportion, you will have a future .400 OBP participant with 20-25 dwelling run energy who might even win a batting title sometime. Defensively, he has loads of work to do; DH might be his greatest place.
Shortstops
Elly De La Cruz, Reds
Age: 22
Bats: B Throws: R
Peak: 6-5 Weight: 200
He has as a lot athletic potential as any participant in MLB right this moment. De La Cruz ranked within the one hundredth percentile in dash velocity and within the 98th percentile in arm energy, and he has 30-40 dwelling run energy. Now, due to his massive body, he additionally has holes on the plate he’s going to have to shut earlier than he wins a Silver Slugger or MVP award, however the uncooked expertise and athleticism scream that he’s the most definitely lively Crimson to make the Baseball Corridor of Fame sometime. His potential is that good. Final season he hit .235 with a .300 OBP and 13 homers in 388 at-bats, together with 35 steals. This 12 months I predict he’ll elevate his common to .250 with a .325 OBP, 25 homers and 45 steals. If he will get there, we are able to name it a breakout 12 months.
Oneil Cruz, Pirates
Age: 25
Bats: L Throws: R
Peak: 6-7 Weight: 215
A couple of 12 months faraway from season-ending ankle surgical procedure, Cruz is totally wholesome and looking out poised for a breakout. He’s been smashing the ball over palm timber all spring coaching with seven dwelling runs, together with one which went 460 ft. It’s superb to observe him play shortstop at 6-foot-7; he makes it look simple together with his good first-step quickness. Like De La Cruz, he’ll must work to attenuate his holes on the plate that stem from his massive body, as equally sized gamers resembling Aaron Decide needed to do. However there’s little question, Cruz is an All-Star within the making and I count on to see him representing the Nationwide League on the midsummer traditional this July in Arlington, Texas.
Third basemen
Royce Lewis, Twins
Age: 24
Bats: R Throws: R
Peak: 6-2 Weight: 200
I’ve Lewis as a darkish horse MVP candidate this 12 months, if he can keep wholesome, one thing he hasn’t been in a position to do since he was the primary total choose within the 2017 MLB Draft. Nonetheless, final 12 months within the common season and postseason, he confirmed his 1-1 pedigree. Within the common season, he slashed .309/.372/.548 with 15 dwelling runs and 52 RBIs in simply 239 plate appearances, together with tallying six steals in seven makes an attempt. Within the postseason, he reached base at a .346 clip and hit 4 dwelling runs in six video games over two sequence. If he’s wholesome for a full season, Lewis will probably be not solely the Twins’ greatest participant, but in addition the most effective gamers within the league.
Sal Frelick, Brewers
Age: 23
Bats: L Throws: R
Peak: 5-10 Weight: 185
A primary-round choose in 2021, Frelick is a excessive OBP participant who works counts and attracts walks. He has glorious instincts, together with on the basepaths, the place he stole seven baggage in as many makes an attempt as a rookie. An above-average defender within the outfield, Frelick is holding his personal as he learns the infield this spring. I received’t be shocked if he leads the Brewers in OBP this 12 months.
Proper fielders
Jordan Walker, Cardinals
Age: 21
Bats: R Throws: R
Peak: 6-6 Weight: 250
Final 12 months I predicted Walker could be a breakout candidate and win Nationwide League Rookie of the Yr. I used to be mistaken on each counts, however that’s not going to cease me from going again to the nicely. Why? As a result of I believe I used to be only a 12 months early and I really feel the Cardinals mishandled Walker initially of final season, demoting him to the minors in April when he didn’t deserve it and making him study a brand new place, proper area, on the major-league stage. Nonetheless, I actually consider on this participant and assume he’ll hit for each common and energy and finally change into not less than sufficient defensively in proper area.
Riley Greene, Tigers
Age: 23
Bats: L Throws: L
Peak: 6-3 Weight: 200
Greene confirmed final 12 months that he can hit the most effective pitchers within the league and the most effective pitchers’ greatest pitch. He’s the participant you need on the plate when the sport is on the road with two strikes and two outs within the ninth inning. He slashed .288/.349/.447 final season with 11 dwelling runs over 378 at-bats. I believe he’s a future Silver Slugger/All-Star-caliber proper fielder who will develop right into a 25-30 dwelling run hitter in time. This 12 months I count on he’ll be near a .300 hitter with 16 to twenty homers and he’ll make his first of many All-Star appearances.
Middle fielder
Jazz Chisholm Jr., Marlins
Age: 26
Bats: L Throws: R
Peak: 5-11 Weight: 188
If Chisholm can keep wholesome for a full season, he has the flexibility to affix the 30-home run, 30-stolen base membership. Final 12 months he performed in solely 97 video games however nonetheless managed to get 19 homers and 22 steals, and in 2022 he performed in 60 video games however nonetheless had 14 homers and 12 steals. He’s quite a bit like Royce Lewis — the expertise screams at you however he must keep away from the injured listing and put collectively a season with 140 video games and 600 plate appearances.
Left fielders
Wyatt Langford, Rangers
Age: 22
Bats: R Throws: R
Peak: 6-1 Weight: 225
Langford is my preseason prediction for American League Rookie of the Yr over his teammate Evan Carter and the Orioles’ Jackson Holliday. After being drafted fourth total final 12 months, Langford slashed .360/.480/.677 throughout 4 minor-league ranges with 10 dwelling runs in 161 at-bats and 12 steals in 15 makes an attempt. He additionally hit .373 with 21 dwelling runs as a junior at Florida earlier than being drafted. This spring in big-league camp, he’s slashed .378/.442/.756 with 5 dwelling runs and 17 RBIs. He can hit for common and attain base at a excessive clip and he possesses 30-home run energy. How good is he proper now? A key member of the Texas employees referred to as Langford the most effective participant on the group not named Corey Seager.
Nolan Jones, Rockies
Age: 25
Bats: L Throws: R
Peak: 6-4 Weight: 195
Jones started his breakout final 12 months when he performed in 106 video games and hit .297 with 20 dwelling runs and 20 stolen bases whereas scoring 60 runs and driving in 62. What I like most about him is that he hit .300 towards fastballs, .317 towards breaking balls and .262 towards off-speed pitches. That trio often means the success will probably be sustainable when pitchers make changes on a hitter. Final 12 months Jones was within the one hundredth percentile in arm worth/energy and within the 78th percentile in dash velocity. His barrel proportion was within the 94th percentile and his stroll fee was within the 88th percentile. The truth is, his total batting run worth ranked within the 93rd percentile. He’s already began his breakout and I believe he’ll end it in 2024 with a practical risk of 30 dwelling runs and 30 stolen bases to associate with a .300 common and an All-Star look.
Designated hitter
Eloy Jiménez, White Sox
Age: 27
Bats: R Throws: R
Peak: 6-4 Weight: 250
Jiménez mentioned this spring that his aim is to play in 150 video games in 2024. If he can accomplish that he’ll have a breakout 12 months. He’s at all times profiled as a .300 hitter with 25 homers and 90 RBIs however he can by no means keep on the sphere to attain these numbers. Final 12 months he hit 18 homers and drove in 64 runs in 120 video games. He’s signed by this 12 months and the White Sox have membership choices for 2025 and ’26 at $16.5 million and $18.5 million that they’ll solely train if he can lastly keep wholesome. It is a make-or-break 12 months for him.
Pitchers
(Listed in alphabetical order)
Andrew Abbott, LHP, Reds
Age: 24
Peak: 6-0 Weight: 192
Abbott impressed in his first seven begins with the Reds final season as he put up a 2.38 ERA with 48 strikeouts in 41 2/3 innings. The second half of the 12 months wasn’t as sort to him as he posted a 4.79 ERA over his last 14 begins however nonetheless struck out 72 in 67 2/3 innings. Abbott had by no means pitched greater than 118 innings earlier than final season and he ended up with 163 1/3 on the 12 months so a second-half decline wasn’t too stunning. Now that his shoulder and physique have logged these innings, he needs to be a lot better within the second half this season. He has the potential to be a top-five lefty starter within the Nationwide League.
Brayan Bello, RHP, Crimson Sox
Age: 24
Peak: 6-1 Weight: 195
Boston not too long ago agreed to a six-year, $55 million contract extension with Bello that features a seventh-year membership choice for $21 million. The Crimson Sox don’t make that dedication in the event that they’re not satisfied he’s wholesome and able to escape. Bello ranked within the 92nd percentile final season in ground-ball fee. He ranked within the ninety fifth percentile in offspeed run worth, due to a changeup, his greatest secondary pitch, that Pedro Martinez helped hone. His fastball sits 95-96 mph. He wants to enhance his slider and four-seam fastball to have a breakout season.
Hunter Brown, RHP, Astros
Age: 25
Peak: 6-2 Weight: 212
Brown spent the offseason engaged on cleansing up his supply with a aim of getting a extra constant launch level that in flip will result in higher management and command. The 25-year-old has the uncooked stuff to turn into an ace however must restrict his misses over the center of the plate if he’s going to interrupt out in 2024. He is aware of how good his arsenal is and he is aware of how one can use it, which is why he advised me he’s nicknamed himself the “On line casino.”
Hunter Greene, RHP, Reds
Age: 24
Peak: 6-5 Weight: 242
Greene has a triple-digit fastball, a nasty slider and a creating changeup. He wants to enhance the late life and command of his fastball and pitch extra on the sides. When he mixes his pitches he has probably the most success. He has the make-up and intelligence to succeed and I believe it’s solely a matter of time earlier than he places all of it collectively.
Bobby Miller, RHP, Dodgers
Age: 24
Peak: 6-5 Weight: 220
Miller is in the very best place for a high pitching prospect — with the Dodgers, as he will get to study from Sandy Koufax, Clayton Kershaw, Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Tyler Glasnow, to not point out pitching coach extraordinaire Mark Prior. The 24-year-old has a high-90s fastball, a late breaking cutter, a tough downward curve and a changeup. He mixes and balances his repertoire nicely.
Ryan Pepiot, RHP, Rays
Age: 26
Peak: 6-3 Weight: 215
Pepiot was the headliner for Tampa Bay within the commerce that despatched Tyler Glasnow to the Dodgers, and if the 26-year-old was the important thing participant the Rays entrance workplace needed in return, I’m betting on him based mostly on their monitor document. Pepiot carried out nicely for the Dodgers final 12 months, permitting simply 27 hits in 42 innings with 38 strikeouts to 5 walks. He logged a 2.14 ERA and 4.18 FIP. He’s had combined outcomes this spring however I count on him to be an element for the Rays within the second half of the season.
Brandon Pfaadt, RHP, Diamondbacks
Age: 25
Peak: 6-4 Weight: 225
Pfaadt didn’t put up good numbers within the common season final 12 months, going 3-9 with a 5.72 ERA and 1.406 WHIP over 18 begins and one reduction look. Nonetheless, in August and September, over his last 10 begins, he logged a 4.19 ERA. Then he had a wonderful postseason, posting a 3.27 ERA over 5 begins to realize extra confidence going into 2024.
Cole Ragans, LHP, Royals
Age: 26
Peak: 6-4 Weight: 190
The Royals made arguably the most effective commerce in baseball earlier than final 12 months’s deadline once they shipped reliever Aroldis Chapman to the Rangers and landed Ragans, who rapidly turned the ace of their employees (5-2 with a 2.64 ERA over 12 begins following the deal). Ragans’ fastball is generally 96-98 mph. He throws a lifeless fish changeup (.152 batting common towards) in addition to a cutter, curve and slider. The five-pitch combine is spectacular and it generates swings-and-misses and a excessive ground-ball fee. He has large upside and seems able to ship.
Grayson Rodriguez, RHP, Orioles
Age: 24
Peak: 6-5 Weight: 230
It’s solely a matter of time earlier than he turns into the Orioles’ ace however for now he’s in an excellent spot to develop behind Corbin Burnes and Kyle Bradish. Rodriguez has arguably the most effective uncooked stuff of the employees with a 97-99 mph fastball, a misleading and efficient changeup, a nasty slider and a stable cutter and curveball. His secondary pitches are constant and dominant more often than not. He wants to enhance the command and management of his four-seam fastball. As soon as that will get locked in, I believe he’ll be within the Cy Younger Award dialog for years to return.
Tarik Skubal, LHP, Tigers
Age: 27
Peak: 6-3 Weight: 240
It’s Skubal’s time. Of all of the pitchers on this listing, he’s the most definitely to complete high 5 within the Cy Younger voting this 12 months. Final 12 months opposing batters hit .206 towards his four-seam fastball, .167 towards his changeup, .224 towards his slider, .229 towards his sinker and .143 towards his knuckle curve. He’s the total bundle, with the appropriate pitcher’s body and mindset. He posted a 2.80 ERA and 0.896 WHIP over 15 begins final season. Now, he’s prepared for a much bigger breakout.
Abner Uribe, RHP, Brewers
Age: 23
Peak: 6-3 Weight: 215
Uribe didn’t permit a run in 27 of 32 reduction appearances for the Brewers final season after being referred to as up, posting a 1.76 ERA and a pair of.77 FIP. His fastball velocity was within the 99th percentile as opposing batters hit .179 towards his sinker and .167 towards his four-seamer. His slider was a wipeout pitch and opposing hitters went simply 2-for-25 towards it. With Devin Williams out not less than three months with stress fractures in his again, there’s a path for Uribe to play a distinguished set-up or nearer function for the Brewers.
GO DEEPER
A spring coaching standout for every group: 30 gamers turning heads in camp
GO DEEPER
Bowden’s MLB report card: Offseason grades, takeaways, and predictions for all 30 groups
(Prime picture of Oneil Cruz: Mike Ehrmann / Getty Pictures)