Every season we see players make a dramatic leap from where they were before. But not all jumps are created equal. Some players struggled to reach the big leagues, emerging as regular contributors to their teams. They are good role players from which all stars develop. And finally, an All-Star caliber player who becomes a legitimate household name star. Let’s take a look at one player from each team who could make the jump in 2024..
The Yankees and Red Sox don’t meet in trades very often, so the winter deal that sent left-handed swinging outfielder Alex Verdugo to the Bronx raised several eyebrows around the league. Verdugo was a productive regular in Boston for four straight years, and the team’s decision to trade him to the Yankees, who were hated by all teams, was baffling. The Red Sox have apparently grown weary of disciplining the 27-year-old, as he was benched twice last season for lack of hustle and lateness. But to put it mildly, a player who has a lot of advantage with his biggest rival because of his immaturity can backfire in a dramatic way. Last season, Verdugo hit .264/.324/.421 with 13 home runs, 54 RBIs, 37 doubles and five triples. Playing his home games in short porch right field at Yankee Stadium, his power will increase dramatically, and I expect the fiery Verdugo to show up for camp with a chip on his shoulder and a career year in store..
Speaking of high-profile trades, the Red Sox made one this winter. In addition to sending Verdugo to the Bronx, they also traded veteran lefty Chris Sale to Atlanta. Sale was beloved in Boston for leading the ‘Sox to the 2018 championship, and while injuries have completely derailed him in recent years, New England fans were still sad to see him go. The deal brings back infielder Vaughn Grissom, who suddenly finds himself under a lot of pressure to become a staple in the Red Sox’s everyday lineup. Grissom is a natural shortstop who was originally called up by the Braves to play second base in 2022 when Ozzie Albies was injured. He showed a lot of promise this season, slashing .291/.353/.440 with 11 hits in just 141 at-bats. When Dansby Swanson left in free agency, the expectation was that Grissom would become the everyday shortstop. However, he lost the spring training battle to Orlando Arcia and would spend most of the 2023 season in the minors.
The Red Sox represent a somewhat fresh start for the 23-year-old, but with Boston’s Trevor Story at shortstop, he will have to slide to the right side of second base again. Grissom has always hit in the minor leagues, and the Red Sox in transition are hoping he can establish himself as a legitimate big league reliever in his first full league season..
Orioles right-hander Grayson Rodriguez has been a fixture on prospect lists since being drafted 11th overall in 2018, and while he struggled a bit as a rookie in 2023, don’t expect that to continue. After being promoted, Rodriguez posted a 4.35 ERA with a 1.33 WHIP in 23 games while hitting 16 home runs and striking out 129 batters in 122 innings. Let’s compare that to his minor league accomplishments. In 77 outings through Baltimore’s system, the Houston, TX native went 29-9 with a 2.40 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP. He struck out 475 batters in 333.1 innings, had just a .173 batting average, and was named the Eastern League Pitcher of the Year in 2021. Yes, the major leagues are a different animal, but this kid is too talented, and once he gets comfortable at the sport’s highest level, I expect him to develop into a high-level starter..
