The 2024 baseball season is around the corner, promising a host of exciting new prospects, a shake-up of the field, and the potential emergence of young superstars. Recapping 2023, notable highlights include Ronald Acuña Jr.’s impressive 40/70 season, Mookie Betts’ shift to the infield while achieving a career-high 39 home runs, and Shohei Ohtani clinching his second consecutive Most Valuable Player award. Corbin Carroll and Gunnar Henderson also emerged as standout rookies.
Observations for the upcoming season encompass Baltimore Orioles’ INF Jackson Holliday, who despite impressive performance, has been sent to minor-league camp for further grooming. The Red Sox will likely rely heavily on INF/OF Ceddanne Rafaela, with the 23-year-old center fielder touted as a lone bright spot in a team that seems destined to struggle. Elsewhere, one player attracting significant attention is the Yankees’ OF Juan Soto, with his future in New York currently hanging in the balance.
For the Tampa Bay Rays, top prospect Junior Caminero may be one to watch, despite not starting the year with the team due to injuries. Baltimore’s INF Jackson Holliday, despite showing promise in spring, was sent to minor-league camp, delaying the highly anticipated debut of the sports top prospect. The Toronto Blue Jays will be looking towards 25-year-old 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to put in a strong performance on par with his past glories.
Over at the White Sox, spectators will be curious to see how former sensation Michael Soroka bounces back after nearly four seasons of inactivity due to injuries. Cleveland Guardians’ Bo Naylor could be the catcher with the powerful strike the team has been waiting for, with his .809 OPS in 2023 being the third-highest on the club. Detroit Tigers LHP Tarik Skubal will be an important figure this season, with the 27-year-old southpaw seeming set for a breakout campaign, Parrticularly after flexor tendon surgery last year.
Pitching for the Chicago Cubs will be Shōta Imanaga, after the team chose to invest heavily in the Japanese professional baseball player. The San Diego Padres will be looking at RHP Michael King to play a vital role, whilst the San Francisco Giants will be keen to see the performance of KBO career .340 hitter Jung Hoo Lee. It’s clear that the 2024 season will bring about many exciting situations and challenges for players, and fans are sure to come out in force to support their teams and favorite players.
