Each year, every team in MLB can expect a certain player to have a standout/breakout year. This player could be a prospect or a longtime veteran who is coming off a disappointing season. Here is one breakout candidate for each National League club!
Philadelphia Phillies: OF Johan Rojas
The Philadelphia Phillies called up Johan Rojas to the major leagues on July 14th of 2023. Rojas is just 23-years-old and has plenty of time to improve. That is exactly what he did this entire off-season, Rojas spent the entire Winter in the gym and working on his offensive side of his game.
Last year in the MLB playoffs, Rojas started in 13 games, he slashed .093/.114/.163, with 0 HR’s, 0 RBI’s, 15 SO, and a .276 OPS. Johan Rojas could take a big step in 2024.
Atlanta Braves: OF Jarred Kelenic
This off-season, the Atlanta Braves traded for OF Jarred Kelenic. Kelenic has spent his years in baseball with the New York Mets and the Seattle Mariners. Kelenic was playing for the Mariners when he got traded to the Braves.
Jarred Kelenic has been waiting to break out for many years. Last year might’ve been the year that Kelenic broke out, unfortunately, Kelenic missed the rest of the season after playing just 19 games. Kelenic slashed .353/.389/.706, with 4 HR’s, 10 RBI’s, and a 1.095 OPS. It will be a fun to see a full season from Jarred Kelenic.
New York Mets: C Francisco Alvarez
Francisco Alvarez is a star in the making. He was called up by the Mets on September 30th of 2022. Alvarez was the Mets No. 1 prospect for a few years. Now, fast forward him playing in the MLB, Alvarez is impressing a lot of fans of the Mets and the Mets front office.
Alvarez is just 22-years-old. He’s shown a lot of upside, but 2024 could be the year Francisco Alvarez shows his full potential. In 2023, Alvarez started in 123 games, he slashed .209/.284/.437, with 25 HR’s, 63 RBI’s, and a .721 OPS.
Miami Marlins: OF Bryan De La Cruz
Bryan De La Cruz has been on a few teams in his MLB career. He's been waiting for a while to finally have a breakout year. Cruz is just 27-years-old, so there's most definitely still time for him to have a great years. He's always been solid, but people are still waiting for Cruz to take that next step.
In 2023, Cruz appeared in 153 games, he slashed .257/.304/.411, with 19 HR's, 78 RBI's, and a .715 OPS. Bryan De La Cruz definitely has the potential to be a star, but he just has to put everything together.
Washington Nationals: SS CJ Abrams
CJ Abrams was apart of the trade that sent Juan Soto to the San Diego Padres and Abrams went to the Washington Nationals. Abrams is apart of the young core that the Nats are creating.
CJ Abrams is such an exciting young player. In 2023, Abrams started in 151 games, he slashed .245/.300/.412, with 18 HR's, 64 RBI's, and a .712 OPS. CJ Abrams can truly take the next step in 2024 and it could be exciting to watch.
Chicago Cubs: INF Christopher Morel
Christopher Morel is one of the most exciting players in all of baseball. The Chicago Cubs have a star in the making with Morel. Christopher Morel made his MLB debut in 2022, ever since he stepped foot on the MLB field, he's been a very solid ball player.
In 2024, Christopher Morel will look to put all his energy and talent together and become a great player. In 2023, Morel made 107 starts, he slashed .247/.313/.508, with 26 HR's, 70 RBI's, and a .821 OPS.
Cincinnati Reds: INF Elly De La Cruz
Last year, a ton of people were looking forward to Elly De La Cruz's MLB debut. Cruz made his debut on June 6th of 2023. Elly De La Cruz started his MLB career on a bang, he was great. As the season went on, Cruz slowed down a little, but that was expected. He wasn't going to have an amazing first season, but he could in his second year.
In 98 games, Cruz slashed .235/.300/.410, with 13 HR's, 44 RBI's, and a .710 OPS. It's going to be a lot of fun to watch Elly De La Cruz in a full season in 2024, he could make a ton of strides on the offensive side.
Milwaukee Brewers: OF Jackson Chourio
This off-season, the Milwaukee Brewers committed to their top prospect for the foreseeable future. They extended Jackson Chourio to an 8-year, $82 million deal. It's cool to see teams committing to their young players like the Brewers did with Jackson Chourio.
Jackson Chourio hasn't made his MLB debut yet, but he's been tearing it up in the minors. Chourio will most definitely make his debut in 2024, and it's going to be one of the most exciting MLB debut's in recent history especially with the Brewers giving Chourio a big contract.
St. Louis Cardinals: UTL Brendan Donovan
Brendan Donovan has been with the St. Louis Cardinals his entire short career. Donovan is just 27-years-old, he's shown a lot of things at the MLB level. Although, everyone is still waiting for Brendan Donovan to have his breakout year.
In 2023, Brendan Donovan made 95 starts, he slashed .284/.365/.422, with 11 HR's, 34 RBI's, and a .787 OPS. Brendan Donovan will likely get much more playing time in 2024, and it'll be fun to watch.
Pittsburgh Pirates: SS Oneil Cruz
Oneil Cruz's 2023 season was one to forgot. Not because of the way he played. On April 9th, Oneil Cruz's season ended due to him fracturing his left fibula. Now, in 2024, Cruz will look forward to putting that past him.
Oneil Cruz barley played in 2023. Cruz has so much potential at the MLB level. He's just 25-years-old. It's going to be fun to watch Oneil Cruz finally being able to have a full season, there's so much Cruz has the potential to do in 2024, and it's going to be fun to watch.
Los Angeles Dodgers: RHP Bobby Miller
Bobby Miller was the Dodgers No. 1 prospect before he got called up to the MLB. Miller made his MLB debut in 2023. He showed a lot of what he can do. Bobby Miller has a lot of nasty pitchers, a lot of major league stars were impressed by Bobby Miller.
In 2023, Miller made 22 starts at the MLB level. He posted an 11-4 record with a 3.76 ERA, 119 SO, and a 1.102 WHIP. Bobby Miller is one of the most electric young pitchers in all of baseball, and it's going to be electrifying to watch a full season from Bobby Miller.
San Diego Padres: OF Jackson Merrill
Jackson Merrill is a name many people may have not heard. That's because he hasn't made his MLB debut yet, although, everyone should start to know who Jackson Merrill. He could be a big part of the Padres 2024 season, especially with the Padres trading multiple OF's this off-season.
The Padres have had Jackson Merrill playing in Spring Training with them this year. Many players on the Padres have been impressed by the way Merrill is playing. Jackson Merrill is has a great bat with a lot of potential, and he's really solid on the defensive side.
Arizona Diamondbacks: SS Geraldo Perdomo
Geraldo Perdomo was apart of the Diamondbacks run to the World Series last year where they came up just short. Perdomo has always been a solid player, he's just waiting to take the next step. Many people believe that could be this year where he's more comfortable now that Perdomo has a taste of the big stage.
Perdomo made 144 starts for the Dbacks in 2023, he slashed .246/.353/.359, with 6 HR's, 47 RBI's, and a .712 OPS. It would be huge for the Diamondbacks if Geraldo Perdomo could take a jump in 2024.
San Francisco Giants: OF Jung Hoo Lee
The San Francisco Giants made a splash this off-season by landing Japanese star, Jung Hoo Lee. They signed Jung Hoo Lee to a six-year, $113 million contract. Many people are excited to watch Lee at the MLB level.
Jung Hoo Lee obviously doesn't have any MLB stats, but he has shined in the Japan league. The Giants might have a star with Jung Hoo Lee, it'll just depend on how he adjusts to MLB pitching.
Colorado Rockies: 2B Brendan Rodgers
Brendan Rodgers has been in the MLB for five seasons. Each season has been a success, but he hasn't taken that next step. The Rockies aren't going to make it far this year, but Brendan Rodgers could be a bright spot.
In 2023, Rodgers appeared in 46 games, he slashed .258/.313/.388, with 4 HR's, 20 RBI's, and a .700 OPS. If Brendan Rodgers can perform up to his potential, he could be a true star in the MLB.
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