Finally, the baseball season is underway! We have made it through the delays and spring training and can finally watch our favorite teams start what is sure to be an exciting season. To celebrate, we have compiled a list of three teams to look out for this season and a few of their star players that are shaping up to have a stellar season.
The New York Yankees
The Yankees are coming off of an entertaining previous season filled with highs and lows. Their last season was dogged with injuries and momentary lapses in success, but they managed to secure the American League Wild Card. Unfortunately, they fell to their bitter rivals, the Boston Red Sox. They pitched well, hit a ton of homers, but needed some improvements in RBIs and runs scored.
This season, they have made some interesting trades. In exchange for catcher Gary Sanchez—who has had a shaky past few seasons—and third baseman Gio Urshela, the Yankees acquired Isiah Kiner-Falefa, former AL MVP Josh Donaldson, and catcher Ben Rortvedt. Kiner-Falefa is a Golden Glove recipient, Donaldson is a three-time All Star, former MVP, and two-time AL Silver Slugger winner. Although they lost a fantastic player in Urshela, they have made some hopefully successful gains.
Player to look out for: Aaron Judge
Judge was easily the best player for the Yankees last season. He was, deservedly, the MVP, Offensive, and Defensive Player of the year. He was spectacular in the outfield and consistently excellent at bat. He continues to be a hitting machine. As long as he can avoid injury this season, he is shaping up to have another All Star season.
The Atlanta Braves
The Braves had a shockingly successful season last year, ending with the World Series ring on their fingers. It was a true underdog story: they spent the least amount of days on top of the NL East and lost their star, Ronald Acuna Jr to an ACL tear. Luckily, some players stepped up like Austin Riley who had an amazing season after two prior disappointing years. Their starting pitcher Charlie Morton had an outstanding season, and the team upset their way to the top of the World Series. This season, they’ll have to defend their title. Given that they were able to win the Series with a few of their best players injured, they are definitely going to be a team to look out for now that those players are returning.
Player to look out for: Charlie Morton
The Braves originally signed Morton for a one year deal, but he quickly turned into their ace. He went 14-6 in 33 starts for the Braves, warranting the yearlong, $20 million extension he was given in September. He is currently coming back from a right leg fracture and just led the Braces to a 7-6 win over the Reds in his first start since the injury. Now that he is getting back to top condition, he is shaping up to have another stunning season.
The Tampa Bay Rays
This addition to the list might be surprising to those who followed the previous baseball season, considering the Rays failed to secure a spot in the World Series despite winning 100 games during the season and all but dominating the American League during the regular season. The Rays, however, have an excellent army of young players they have been shaping into superstars that have a promising future on the team. In addition to their young stars, the Rays have a unique advantage over their competitors: their front office. Most of the teams in last year’s playoffs have former Rays employees in high positions, and their managing team continues to be one of the most successful analytical groups out there. Baseball is becoming more and more analytical, and the Rays are ahead of the game.
Player to look out for: Brandon Lowe
Although he faltered against the Red Sox, Lowe’s contributions throughout the season were phenomenal. He had 39 home runs and was second only to Austin Meadows in RBIs with a total of 99, with a batting average of 0.247. Despite his and the Rays’ unfortunate postseason, he had a great season overall and is lining up to have an even better one.
