With Spring Training started this past week, the upcoming 2020 MLB season is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated and fun to watch in recent memory. Everyone from players to coaches to executives to the entire sports media world is talking about the Houston Astros and their sign stealing scandal. Rightfully so. However this list, at least #4-#1, is going to focus on the most intriguing players to watch this year based on either the excitement they bring to the game, the scary good potential they have to make major impact and their track record this far and what these players bring to bring to their respective clubs this season. It will not contain your usual big names like Mike Trout or Nolan Arenado, those guys you will always be watching but rather the young up and comers and 1 big contract guy too that everyone should keep an eye on. The guys most likely to really break out and make a name for themselves. So,without any further ado, lets kick this thing off with a tie between teammates for the #5 spot off the aforementioned disgraced Hoston Astros team.
#5- Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman, Houston Astros- Remember the criteria I mentioned in the introduction above? Yeah, throw that away completely for this spot only on the list. I was not even going to put these 2 on any kind of list heading into this season besides maybe “Players I’d Like To Most See Drilled In The Back With A 99MPH Fastball” where they would sit at the top. When creating this list, I couldnt help but think of the questions and storylines surrounding them considering the outcry for them to be suspended and stripped of a title for cheating. Are these 2 going to lead the league in OPS and OBP considering everyone and their mother wants to throw at them? Will the team break the single season HBP record? Will they be injured because of it? As it stands right now, 4 games into spring training, the Astros have already been hit 7 times, showing no signs of slowing down. Hate or Love them, the fact is that baseball fans around the globe will be tuning in at record rates to see the answers to those exact questions. There are alot of angry people out there wanting to see them be hit and hit continuously. These 2 are at the forefront of everything. They went in front of the cameras and gave half assed apologies with smug smiles and smug World Series predictions, ultimately enlarging those huge targets on their backs. Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman are no doubt 2 of the top players at their positions but it will be interesting to see how they perform with this hanging over their heads for what is likely to be all season long or unless Rob Manfred decides to strip the title. TV ratings will never be higher than when they are on TV but it will not be for any other reason than to see if their opponents are out for blood and revenge. Now, let’s move on to #4-#1 and some players that havent been proven to steal a title from the rest of the league.
#4 Bo Bichette, Toronto Blue Jays- Bo Bichette is one of 3 2nd generation Major Leaguers with Hall of Fame fathers on the Blue Jays roster, the other 2 being Cavan Biggio (Son of Craig) and Vlad Guerrero Jr. (Son of Vlad Sr.). Vlad’s power and personality could have had him in this slot as well but in my opinion, it is Bo that is going to set the table and make this Toronto team a surprise this year and a potential contender for many years to come. Bichette was called up in August of 2019 and quickly cemented his spot as starting shortstop for the Jays. In just 46 games from the leadoff spot, Bichette slashed .311 with 11 HR’s 61 hits and a streak of extra base hits that took the league by storm. He is the heartbeat of that lineup, but also showed to have a smooth ability in the field to make the tremendously difficult to look fairly easy. With full 162 game averages based on his numbers laat year, Bo would have a line of .301 avg with 215 hits, 113 runs scored, 39 HR’s and 74 RBI’s. WHO WOULDNT WANT THOSE KIND OF NUMBERS FROM FROM A LEADOFF HITTER?!
3. Gerritt Cole, New York Yankees- Alright, my Yankee fandom may be coming into play here but take a minute to look at the storylines before making any judgement. Cole signed a massive 9 year, 324 million dollar contract this offseason making him the highest paid pitcher in MLB history on whatcused to be the most hated franchise in the sport ( Astros took that spot easily). He is coming off a 20-5 2019 season that saw him finish 2nd in the Cy Young voting to then fellow teammate Justin Verlander. If you ask me and many others though, they will tell you that undoubtedly it is Cole whom is Number One. Over the last 2 seasons he has finished with 15 or more wins and an ERA under 3. He is hitting his stride at the right time as The Yankees look to end their decade long title drought. The big questions and intriguing storiesis if he can handle the pressure of both being considered the savior in New York and living up to such a historical amount of money. He will already be leaned on even heavier heading into the season considering both James Paxton and Luis Severino having suffered injuries that will keep them out some time. Nonetheless, Cole is my pick for both Cy Young and MVP awards in the American League this year. His run support will be the most he has had in his career and he has shown zero signs of decline heading into this year. His ability to adapt even when he doesnt have his top stuff also makes fans want to tune in even more. For Yankee fans such as myself, I really hope I am right!
2. Jack Flaherty, St. Louis Cardinals- This one may come as a shocker to most but, hey this only my opinion. Amongst many experts, including myself, Flaherty was widely considered the best pitcher in all of baseball the 2nd half of the season going 10-4 with a sub 2 ERA. Flaherty may not be a household name that casual fans knowjust yet but to real fans hes definitely THE arm to watch this year. As a matter of fact I am picking Flaherty to dethrone Mets P Jacob Degrom as the National League Cy Young award winner this season. The Cardinals do seem to have the talent to compete in the NL Central this season and Jack Flaherty is a big reason why.
1. Fernando Tatis Jr, San Diego Padres- Tatis Jr is 100 percent hands down the most electrifying young player in baseball. His baserunning ability was almost stuff of legend in 2019. His rookie year saw him steal home, get into and out of seemingly impossible pickles all year long, slising head first into First Base to beat out infield singles, his glove and arm strength are among the top I have seen since Lindor and Machado broke into the league and at the plate, he was an absolute stud. Tatis Jr in just 84 games, hit .317 with 22 HR’s and 53 RBI’S. If not for an injury, he would have had historical, astronomical numbers for a rookie leadoff hitter. Tatis looks to be the future of the Padres franchise and with good reason. His teammates love him. He’s outrageous on and off the field. He’s very young at just 21 years old and with the willingness of San Diego to spend money, they can easily make him the man they build around along with 300 million dollar man Manny Machado. Look for Tatis and the Padres to have a breakout year.
That’s the list. I understand my picks aren’t the greatest players or biggest names but they sure as hell are ones to watch for. Please Read SHARE Comment!!!!!
To The Rack With Mac 