The Washington Nationals have been on the clock with the No. 1 overall pick since the MLB Draft Lottery commenced this past winter. All the speculation will finally be over, but for now, here is my final MLB mock draft.

DISCLAIMER: Compared to the last few, this year’s draft is different. While big names and a consensus 1.01 pick aren’t as sexy as 2024 or 2023, the depth this class showcases in specific is intriguing.

For the sake of time, no explanation will be given. If you’re curious to see how I feel about a certain prospect, check me out on X, @DiscussBaseball for constant chatter.

1 .) WSH: Kade Anderson, LHP, LSU

2 .) LAA: Liam Doyle, LHP, Tennessee

3 .) SEA: Aiva Arquette, SS, Oregon State

4 .) COL: Ethan Holliday, SS, Stillwater HS (OK)

5 .) STL: Jamie Arnold, LHP, Florida State

6 .) PIT: Eli Willits, SS, Fort Cobb-Broxton (OK)

7 .) MIA: Seth Hernandez, RHP, Corona Senior HS (CA)

8 .) TOR: Kyson Witherspoon, RHP, Oklahoma

9 .) CIN: JoJo Parker, SS, Purvis HS (MS)

10 .) CWS: Billy Carlson, SS, Corona Senior HS (CA)

11 .) A’s: Tyler Bremner, RHP, UCSB

12 .) TEX: Ike Irish, OF/C, Auburn

13 .) SF: Gavin Fien, 3B, Great Oak HS (CA)

14 .) TB: Marek Houston, SS, Wake Forest

15 .) BOS: Wehiwa Aloy, SS, Arkansas

16 .) MIN: Steele Hall, SS, Hewitt-Trussville HS (AL)

17 .) CHC: Kayson Cunningham, SS, Johnson HS (TX)

18 .) ARI: Gavin Kilen, SS, Tennessee

19 .) BAL: Gage Wood, RHP, Arkansas

20 .) MIL: Jace LaViolette, OF, Texas A&M

21 .) HOU: Josh Hammond, SS, Wesleyan Christian HS (NC)

22 .) ATL: Daniel Pierce, SS, Mill Creek HS (GA)

23 .) KC: Brendan Summerhill, OF, Arizona

24 .) DET: Coy James, SS, Davie County HS (NC)

25 .) SD: Caden Bodine, C, Coastal Carolina

26 .) PHI: Luke Stevenson, C, North Carolina

27 .) CLE: Andrew Fischer, 3B, Tennessee

28 .) KC: Anthony Eyanson, RHP, LSU

29 .) ARI: Devin Taylor, OF, Indiana

30 .) BAL: Patrick Forbes, RHP, Louisville

31 .) BAL: Cam Cannarella, OF, Clemson

32 .) MIL: Xavier Neyens, 3B, Mount Vernon HS (WA)

Instead of trying to recap the entire first two-ish months of the 2025 Major League Baseball season, I thought I’d give five takeaways from what has stood out to me, in a condensed list.

Some of these takeaways may be significant, while others may be minor. Either way, I’ve been thinking about them almost daily… enjoy!

1. The Yankees don’t need Juan Soto

Sitting at 39-25 and first in the AL East, the New York Yankees had a glaring question mark heading into the 2025 season: How would they fare without superstar Juan Soto?

I think we all know the answer to that question now. Aaron Judge has dominated all kinds of pitching up until this point, and even looks slump-proof. His 5.7 fWAR leads the Majors by a landslide.

Their lineup looks more balanced, too. Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger have been fine additions, while Ben Rice has fully broken out. Boone has more options than ever as top prospect Jasson Dominguez gets more comfortable.

Even without Gerrit Cole to lead the rotation, this team is relaxed, looks well-coached, and is winning. Max Fried’s 1.78 ERA and eight-and-one record help.

2. Jacob Wilson is the real deal

Everyone across baseball Twitter seems to be talking about Athletics SS Jacob Wilson — for good reason. The rookie saw his first taste of MLB action in 2024, yet was plagued by injuries.

The 23-year-old was granted full-time access to a Big League infield this spring and hasn’t looked back. He’s 5th in hitter fWAR, batting .372 with eight HR, 38 RBI, five SB, and has a .936 OPS. Jack Wilson’s son has displayed an uncanny ability to avoid both strikeouts and walks.

While his breakout hasn’t helped the A’s win ball games (26-41), Wilson is without a doubt a piece to their future winning puzzle.

3. Big names have struggled

Since we are over two months into the season, these are no longer “slow starts.” There are some deep concerns. Take a look at this brief list of well-known hitters in the negatives for fWAR:

• Salvador Perez (KC)

• Jonathan India (KC)

• Anthony Santander (TOR)

• Luis Robert Jr (CWS)

• Michael Toglia (COL)

• Brenton Doyle (COL)

• Ryan Mountcastle (BAL)

• Christian Walker (HOU)

• Trevor Story (BOS)

• Luis Arraez (SD)

• Spencer Steer (CIN)

• Nick Casteallanos (PHI)

• Bryan Reynolds (PIT)

• Nathaniel Lowe (WSH)

Yikes. While there is still plenty of time to turn things around, I think it’s fair to say these guys have all shocked many thus far. And not in a good way.

4. Something is wrong with Sandy Alcantara

A 7.89 ERA. That’s what Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara is sporting in 2025 as I write this blog.

Back in March, it was widely considered that Alcantara would be a popular trade asset for a team looking to bolster their staff at the deadline.

While Alcantara has been popular lately, it’s for the wrong reasons. Just 44 K over 57 frames, his xERA is 4.96 (bottom 16th percentile) with a dismal 11.5 BB%.

Alcantara’s fastball velocity is fine, averaging 97.3 mph… but he is getting his hard. Like, really hard. Bendix may still trade him come deadline time, but he probably won’t warrant back the exciting package Fish fans were hoping for.

5. My World Series predictions are in the gutter

Way back on Opening Day, I predicted the 2025 World Series matchup to be the Red Sox vs the Braves. I liked the direction each team was heading towards, and thought their offseason’s got them over the hump.

Currently, the two clubs combine for a 59-72 record, both under .500. Jurickson Profar was suspended in ATL for PED use, while Alex Bregman and Triston Casas have fought the early IL bug in Boston.

The Red Sox have lost 17 one-run games, while the Braves have lost 19. Both of these marks are the highest in their respective leagues.

I still think the future is bright for Boston and Atlanta, but the 2025 season has not been kind to either of them by mid-June.

While Spring Training stats should always be taken with a grain of salt, strong performances can still be worth noting. Whether it’s a player accelerating their path to the big leagues or solidifying themselves as an everyday presence, these early showings can offer valuable insight.

I’ll keep this blog sweet and to the point. Below is a rapid-fire list of names to watch, whether they could impact your favorite club this season or become a sneaky late-summer fantasy baseball pickup.

Vinny Capra - Brewers

Capra has been one of the biggest surprises in camp, slashing .292 with six home runs (tied for the spring lead), three doubles, two steals, and a 1.087 OPS.

The 28-year-old has struck out 14 times in 48 at-bats, but for a guy with just 36 career MLB plate appearances, this is a major step forward. Safe to say that he’s played his way onto Milwaukee’s 26-man Opening Day roster.

Rhys Hoskins - Brewers

Another Brewer swinging a hot bat, Hoskins has been launching baseballs all over the place. Like Capra, he’s gone deep six times — in fact, six of his 11 hits this spring have left the yard.

Over 42 at-bats, he’s posted a 1.082 OPS while flashing impressive exit velocities. The 32-year-old looks primed to hit in the heart of Pat Murphy’s lineup as he aims for a bounce-back season.

Austin Wells - Yankees

After finishing third in AL Rookie of the Year voting last season, expectations for Wells in 2025 are sky-high. If his spring numbers are any indication, he might just surpass them.

The Yankees backstop torched opposing pitching, slashing .348 with a 1.183 OPS, six homers, 12 RBI, and two doubles in 16 spring games. If he carries that momentum into the regular season, the Bronx will be buzzing.

Clay Holmes - Mets

A 0.93 ERA over 19.1 innings with a nasty new “kick” changeup? Holmes didn’t just impress Mets fans — he impressed the whole league.

The Mets’ pitching lab is trending up, and Holmes looks like he could legitimately hold down a frontline rotation spot. The veteran struck out 23 while limiting hitters to a ridiculous .109 average this spring. I can’t wait to see what he does as a full-time starter.

Garrett Crochet - Red Sox

Boston gave up some highly regarded prospects to land Crochet, and so far, the early returns have been nothing short of dominant, even if nothing’s counted yet.

In five spring starts, the southpaw struck out a league-best 30 batters while allowing just 13 hits across 15.2 innings. A lone earned run kept his ERA at a microscopic 0.57. Alex Cora, Craig Breslow, and Red Sox Nation have to be thrilled with their new ace.

Curtis Mead - Rays

Leaving Mead off this list would’ve been a crime. Going 22-for-52 is impressive in a backyard wiffle ball game, the Australian native did it against big-league pitching this spring.

Some have written off the 24-year-old, thinking he’s faded from the Rays’ plans. But a .238 career average over just 122 at-bats? That’s nowhere near enough to judge his future. I’m expecting big things from him in 2025, and I hope Spring Training was just the appetizer.

Oscar Gonzalez - Padres

He may have fallen shy of an Opening Day roster spot, but Gonzalez balled out this spring. The Guardians’ playoff legend did not propel a ball over the fence, yet he posted an OPS of .955 across 55 at-bats.

The SpongeBob SquarePants theme song may not play during March/April at Petco Park, but injuries happen, and Gonzalez is very close to getting the call.

Cody Bellinger - Yankees

Bellinger is a step down from Juan Soto, but make no mistake: he looked locked in at the plate this spring. The former MVP slashed .423 with a 1.214 OPS, drilling four homers and driving in eight runs over 52 at-bats.

For years, I’ve been hearing about how well Bellinger’s swing will play at Yankee Stadium. I’m thrilled to see it finally come to fruition.

Ty France - Twins

France came into 2025 Spring Training with something to prove, and he made his case loud and clear. The Twins’ first baseman clubbed two HR and posted a 1.233 OPS across 45 at-bats.

After an up-and-down 2024, France looks to reclaim his spot as a key piece in Minnesota’s lineup. I was never a big fan of this fit to begin with, but he’s proving me wrong.

Throughout every 162-game grind, many players fizzle out, while a few dozen break out. Digging deep and predicting those true talents is damn near impossible, but so tempting to try.

Disclaimer: I am not a biomechanical specialist, nor a predictive model savant. I wish I were knowledgeable about IVB, arm angles, or pitch shapes, but I’m not. However, I have been playing this game since I was five, and I am pitching in college today.

1. Spencer Arrighetti — Astros

Is this because I witnessed him strike out 13 Red Sox hitters over seven innings of two-run ball in person last summer? Possibly. Either way, I’m buying the dip on Arrighetti.

During the 25-year-old’s inaugural season in 2024, this right-hander posted a 4.53 ERA, with 171 strikeouts over 145 innings. His terrific final two months are what got me going.

In August, Arrighetti threw 32.1 innings, allowing just seven earned runs while striking out 47. His ERA was 1.95, and opponents hit just .168 against him. The Albuquerque, NM native wasn’t as stellar in September but still pitched to the tune of a 3.92 ERA over 20.2 innings.

My point is, his strikeout stuff plays. Arrighetti’s second-half K-BB% was 14th best among MLB (21.4%), with the walk rate significantly decreasing as he got more comfortable. His curveball is the true plus pitch, as he struck out Luis Arraez with it and netted a 42.4 whiff rate with a .156 xBA.

Hurling with the Crawford Boxes in Houston makes me a bit nervous, but the youngster is right-handed and will get plenty of opportunities on an Astros rotation that always seems to be above average.

2. Clarke Schmidt — Yankees

Schmidt is the second pitcher I “like” for the 2025 season. Already 29 years old, the righty was nasty last year, yet dealt with a lat injury that kept him throwing just 85.1 innings.

Across 16 starts, the South Carolina product collected a 2.85 ERA, with 93 strikeouts and a 29.4 whiff rate. Along with generating swing and miss, his 5.9 barrel% graded out in the top 81st percentile, an encouraging mark.

The Yankees starter won’t blow hitters away, so he uses his impressive arsenal to adapt and fool them. Schmidt throws five pitches and favors his cutter the most (35% usage rate in 2024). His sweeper may be his deadliest pitch; batsmen clubbed just .210 across 70 PA vs. it last year.

I’m high on Schmidt because his on-field product was great a season ago. The biggest question mark will be his health, and he seems to have nothing but an achy back entering 2025.

In a loaded Yankees rotation that features Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, Carlos Rodon, and Marcus Stroman… Schmidt may be Boone’s most important x-factor.

3. Mike Soroka — Nationals

Soroka made history last season for the wrong reasons. No pitcher since Terry Felton in 1982 had 10+ losses without winning a single ballgame until the Canadian did it with the White Sox in 2024. It is perhaps my riskiest pick of all, but I believe in him.

For starters, the Nationals don’t dish out money like nothing — I hypothesize they paid him nine million dollars for a reason this winter. There is little doubt that Martinez and the company view him as a starter.

It’s been five years since Soroka was that 21-year-old kid who finished 6th in the NL Cy Young race, but his stuff is still sharp. He pitched well in the White Sox bullpen and wowed many with his slider after moving there in May.

With a 37% usage rate, the slider became Soroka’s main pitch. It graded out elite across 79.2 innings; he chucked it 527 times, letting up just 17 hits. Combine that with its 41.7 whiff rate and .168 BAA, and he can more than likely start games with it.

Across seven spring innings, Soroka currently holds a 1.29 ERA with nine strikeouts and is sitting 94-95 mph on his fastball. I’m not sure I believe in him so much because I want him to succeed, but he’s made my list.

In 2024, I chose SS CJ Abrams, OF Wilyer Abreu, and INF Tyler Black to enjoy true breakout seasons. While I’d like to take some credit for being on top of Abrams and Abreu’s great play, Black appeared in just 18 MLB games last season. That was a miss.

As usual, I’ll try to stay away from big-name players and obvious breakouts (such as James Wood or Jackson Holliday).

1. Tyler Soderstrom — Athletics

The A’s No. 1 prospect in 2023, Soderstrom graduated from that alias this past spring. Physical, 6’2”, and 200 pounds, this strong first-baseman got his initial taste of MLB action during ‘23, yet struggled to gain any ground with a .472 OPS, and three HR across 138 plate appearances.

In 2024, Soderstrom took advantage of more opportunities, playing in May, June, July, and September to accumulate 213 PAs. He clocked nine HRs last year and posted an OPS of .744 — not setting the world on fire by any means, but a vast improvement. He was especially stellar in June and August where he clubbed eight of those nine dingers, and had an OPS in the mid-800s.

One thing I like about Soderstrom entering 2025 is his projected role. The 23-year-old is slated to be the Athletics every day 1B… this should allocate to 500+ plate appearances if he stays healthy.

Another big key is Soderstrom’s new home ballpark. As we know, the A’s are amid a relocation and will be holding their home games in Sacramento (a Triple-A field) for the foreseeable future. Soderstrom should benefit from the park’s hitter-friendly environment.

Lastly, his Savant underlying metrics look great. While he wasn’t qualified, he hit his way to a .348 xwOBA, .480 xSLG, 14.6 barrel%, 49.6 hardhit%, and 91.9 mph average exit velocity. That’s more than enough for me to be all in.

2. Matt Wallner — Twins

If you follow me on Twitter, this pick shouldn’t come as a surprise. In fact, in general, it probably shouldn’t come as a surprise. Wallner was great when given the chance to play in ‘24, the man grabbed an .895 OPS.

While this looks like a true breakout at a glance, he only came up to the dish 261 times. Not nearly enough for full assumptions to be made. I was very surprised when Minnesota started him in Triple-A to begin 2024.

The left-handed hitter’s splits are typical for his powerful profile. Wallner punished RHPs last year, with 12 HR, and a 953 OPS. In only 38 ABs vs southpaws, he struggled mightily with just one HR and a .611 OPS.

I believe the Twins signed Harrison Bader to help Wallner stick in his true platoon role, and while he won’t be playing *every* game for the Twins this year, he’s going to get enough plate appearances to make a true impact.

Much like Soderstrom, Wallner’s Savant profile is a thing of beauty. His average exit velocity was 92.8 mph, with a 17.5 barrel rate. Combine his elite bat speed with an age-27 season, he has All-Star potential.

3. Jung Hoo Lee — Giants

Lee had a decent start to his rookie campaign until it abruptly ended after crashing into a wall while going for a fly ball. Unfortunately for the speedster, labrum surgery was required, and he only played 37 games in 2024.

The good news for Lee? He is fully healthy and is projected to be the Giants’ everyday centerfielder and leadoff stick this season. This should give him more than enough opportunity to prove he can stick.

Sure, his OPS+ in ‘24 was just 86, with a .310 OBP, but Lee can flat-out play. He displayed a cool 11-game hit streak towards the end of April and squared up 37.1% of his batted balls.

The 26-year-old’s last five seasons in the KBO displayed a positive BB/K ratio, and plate discipline always translates. MLB pitching didn’t seem to fool him, his 8.2 K%, and 9.6 whiff% are Luis Arraez and Steven Kwan-like.

Although the average exit velocities and slugging numbers weren’t anything special, I’m banking on Lee to only get better with time and experience. With his wheels, the large Oracle outfield should help turn singles into doubles. There is a lot to like here.

No, this isn’t because it’s Valentine’s Day, my second anniversary with my loving girlfriend, but because Division I college baseball season kicks off.

I can’t wait 62 days for the baseball season to come. That’s far too long.

This piece attempts to get more Skippers View eyeballs on college baseball. While it’s a bit more complex to follow, considering the vast number of teams, my goal is to simplify things and skim over what makes Division I NCAA baseball so special.

If you aren’t convinced after reading this, I guess you’ll be waiting for baseball longer than me—your loss.

The basics

If you don’t know a thing about DI baseball, this section is for you. Here is college baseball’s skeleton, boiled down to the bones:

There are roughly 300 DI baseball schools, made up of 31 conferences. However, this isn’t FBS football. Ever heard of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference? How about the Horizon League? That is exactly my point. It’s tough to keep track of all 31.

A typical DI baseball season consists of about 56 regular-season games per school, starting with non-conference clashes in February and continuing into conference play in March. Once conference play is over, conference playoffs begin to solidify spots in the regionals.

When it comes to making the postseason, DI baseball takes 64 teams, much like DI basketball. Schools can clinch a regional birth by winning their conference or having a terrific regular season to earn an at-large bid. Most at-large bids are scooped up by the power-four conferences — the SEC, BIG TEN, BIG 12, and ACC.

The top 16 schools in the country are lucky enough to host regionals come playoff time. Each region consists of four schools, seeded one-through-four double-elimination style. The regional champions move on to the Super Regional (view this as the “Sweet-16”).

The eight highest remaining seeds host the Super Regionals, a three-game series between two schools to decide the remaining eight spots in the College World Series.

Omaha, Nebraska, is the hub of college baseball, and Charles Schwab Field is the site for the double-elimination tournament. The king of DI baseball is crowned in June and dubbed College World Series Champions.

Other basics of the sport include the fact that metal bats are used, some stadiums hold zero fans while others hold 40,000+, NIL and the transfer portal have made recent impacts, and tons of future MLB players grace the dirt. Also, defense across the nation may be sloppy at times, but it makes for good baseball.

Some pointers

It’s 2025. If I’m going to convince people to buy into watching college baseball this specific season, I better cover some intriguing storylines entering the spring.

In my eyes, there are one-to-two teams to beat ahead of every DI baseball rollercoaster: the defending National Champion, and the pre-season No. 1 team in the country. This year, the defending National Champions are the Tennessee Volunteers, and the pre-season No. 1 ranked squad is the Texas A&M Aggies.

These two schools just so happened to have met one another in last year’s Natty, with Tennesse coming out on top, two games to one.

D1baseball.com is a tremendous source to key in on, as they come out with rankings weekly. Here’s a look at the current pre-season top 25 ahead of Opening Day:

Most of the clubs on this list are from the power-four conferences. However, the occasional mid-major team falls into D1 Baseball’s top-25. In this case, Troy, UCSB, and DBU find themselves in the mix.

That’s the thing about DI baseball: mid-majors aren’t an afterthought. They can make some serious noise.

Last season, Evansville and UConn struck lightning in a bottle and made the Super Regionals, shocking thousands. Baseball is a beautiful thing, and both the Purple Aces and Huskies rode hot bats and arms to knock favorites off the totem pole.

Some of the historically best mid-majors in college baseball are Cal State Fullerton, Fresno State, Witchita State, and Coastal Carolina. The Chanticleers went as far as winning the National Championship not too long ago in 2016.

It’s never out of the realm of possibility to see mid-major madness.

Talent aplenty

“But Sam, all the good amateur players get drafted out of high school. Why would I watch a bunch of players who weren’t good enough to sign as 18-year-olds?”

Nine of the first 10 picks in the 2024 MLB Draft were college players. SEC baseball is so talent-filled it’s getting compared to the same level as Double-A baseball.

Once again, the 2025 college baseball season is stockpiled with insane anomalies on the diamond. First, Jace LaViolette, a Texas A&M outfielder, is mocked as high as No. 1 in the upcoming July Draft.

LaViolette has 50 HR, 141 RBI, and a whopping .683 SLG% in two seasons with the Aggies. While he may not be as great a prospect as Travis Bazzana or Paul Skenes in previous years, he is the centerpiece of the current team to beat in DI baseball. That makes for good TV.

A few other incredible players to look out for ahead of the 2025 NCAA baseball season are Cam Cannarella (Clemson OF), Tyler Bremner (UCSB RHP), Devin Taylor (Indiana OF), Jamie Arnold (Florida State LHP), Aiva Arquette (Oregon State SS), and Luke Stevenson (North Carolina C), to name a few.

Many of these players were either drafted in late rounds out of high school or simply just late bloomers. The loyalty to a prior college commitment, or hard work to earn a starting spot/make a team is already instilled within these players. They focus on balancing academics, social lives, and their craft to get to the top.

A unique triumph high schoolers who sign with MLB teams don’t have to deal with.

As someone who has a background of playing college baseball (albeit DIII), I can attest to the fact that those locker rooms are second families. The passion of 95% of the college baseball landscape is infused with friendships rather than a paycheck. That cannot be manufactured in pro ball.

It’s what makes the sport so intense.

To learn more names, I’ll provide the rest of D1 Baseball’s pre-season First-Team All-Americans:

The verdict

I’ll be honest, without ESPN+ or FLO Sports, it can be hard to access college baseball on a TV or laptop. One of the reasons why the sport isn’t as popular as college football or basketball is because of this.

Even without subscriptions to those platforms, it’s very possible to stay connected. Such as watching “Wheels” videos on YouTube for free or following these X accounts:

@D1baseball, @OverdueSports, @PeterGFlaherty, @BacksideGB, @11point7, @bigdonkey47, @OCBaseball814, @IsaacGroffman, @NoahB_77 and @CollegeBaseCNT

But I urge you, if you haven’t tuned into any DI baseball, as an MLB fan, you are missing out on quirky plays, kids playing for their baseball lives (with little to no money involved), traditions of students showering beer after Ole Miss home runs, and lots of energy.

Spring Training in MLB doesn’t begin until February 20th, so tuning into DI baseball opening day won’t even jab into that.

After all, a plethora of the players you see at the college level are future Major Leaguers. Might as well get familiar with them now.

Before we get into the meat and potatoes, let’s take a peek at how the 2019 World Series Champs have performed since they hoisted MLB’s crown:

Yikes.

Many, including me, have barely even pondered over the fact that this club defeated the trashcan-banging Astros in the Fall Classic immediately after losing one of the most talented players in the history of their franchise, Bryce Harper. This is because they just straight-up haven’t been a good baseball team.

If it feels like the Nationals have been in a rebuild since Daniel Hudson struck out Michael Brantley, don’t fret — it’s reality. They haven’t tasted even an ounce of success.

However, I have a few reasons to believe this club could be contending for another World Series within the next three to five years. Here’s why:

The Juan Soto trade

Lots of heat circulated Mike Rizzo and the Nationals front office during the summer of 2022. The team had made virtually no noise since 2019. Stephen Strasburg was under the worst contract in baseball, superstar Trea Turner was traded the previous summer, Mr. National (Ryan Zimmerman) had retired, and generational talent Juan Soto was unhappy.

The club was in an obvious rebuilding direction, and the only question around the trade deadline was whether or not Rizzo was going to have the stones to flip the game’s best young player in Soto.

He did.

We all know the deal. Soto was traded to the Padres in a blockbuster that included top prospects OF James Wood, SS CJ Abrams, LHP MacKenzie Gore, OF Robert Hassell III, and RHP Jarlin Susana, along with 1B Luke Voit for fun.

What many don’t know, is how lethal this trade has turned into for Washington. At age 23, Abrams represented the National League in the All-Star game at shortstop, and Gore, 25, has already contributed 302.2 solid innings of ball. The kicker? Neither player is the best player Rizzo got back from San Diego.

Wood made his MLB debut this past summer and is poised to be one of the game’s premier players for years to come. Read more about Wood in this piece by Running from the OPS as to why.

Wait. There’s more: Hassell III, 23, is set to see Big League action in 2025, and Susana, 20, is baseball’s 90th-best prospect on MLB.com, hurling some nasty stuff.

Rizzo nailed this deal for Washington, totally jumpstarting the rebuild for his club, and proving that sometimes the reward can be worth the risk.

Youth, and some luck

Since it became a thing, possibly no team has benefitted more from the MLB Draft Lottery than the Washington Nationals. While they didn’t land the No. 1 pick in 2023 to net Paul Skenes, the club picked second and landed another generational outfield talent in Dylan Crews from LSU.

If he hadn’t fallen in the same draft as Skenes, there’s little doubt Crews would have gone 1.01 that July.

National Champion, the most polished hit tool in the draft, swagger, tools aplenty, and a killer mustache… these are the things Crews brought to the table come Draft Night. Like Wood, the 22-year-old made his MLB debut this past season, and while he didn’t attain as much success from his cup of coffee, he still showed flashes, hitting three HR, grabbing 3 OAA, and stealing 12 bases across 31 games.

Crews and Wood are as safe as any prospects I’ve ever seen, and Washington will have two All-Stars patrolling the Nationals Park greenery for years to come.

Did I mention that the Nationals have had good luck with the Draft Lottery? Just a few weeks ago, they nabbed the No. 1 overall pick for the 2025 MLB Draft despite just a 10.2% chance of that coming to fruition.

They’ll have their pick at studs such as Ethan Holliday, Jace LaViolette, and Jamie Arnold.

Other young pieces in Washington include:

• OF Jacob Young, 25, who stole 33 bases in 2024 and led baseball with 20 OAA. Under team control beyond 2029.

• INF Luis Garcia Jr, 24, posted a 115 OPS+ with 18 HR, 22 SB, and 5 OAA in 2024. Under team control until 2028.

• LHP DJ Herz, 24, was top 20 in 2024 2nd half K/9 (27.7%). Under team control beyond 2029.

• RHP Evan Reifert, 25, has a funky 36-degree arm angle with high whiff rates, under team control beyond 2029.

• RHP Travis Syroka, 20, is not close to being MLB-ready but is 6’6” and boasts a 70-grade fastball.

• 3B Brady House, 21, is the current No. 84 prospect in all of baseball. Plenty of power potential, and can make an MLB impact in 2025 if given the opportunity.

• SS/3B/OF Seaver King, 21, the Nationals 2024 1st round pick. Compact right-handed swing with elite defense potential. Speedy.

Look, I’m banking on a bunch of young players to stay healthy, develop the way they are supposed to, and gel together. But this isn’t crazy, not even close. The Nationals have loads of young talent, possibly the most in the National League at the moment, and it’s going to be a blast to see how these kids develop.

Hats off, Rizzo.

Specific requirements are present for a prospect to be eligible for selection. For starters, prospects need to have been signed at age 19 or later. These players must have four years of experience in professional baseball. And most importantly, they did not get protected on their respective club’s 40-man roster.

Yes, the casual baseball fan might not be familiar with any of the names taken on December 11th, when the draft is expected to start.

However, many gems are found during the Rule-5 Draft. According to Jonathan Mayo, some of the best Rule-5 picks over the last decade include Anthony Santander, Mark Canha, Garrett Whitlock, and Brad Keller. Roberto Clemente is the most famous (although the rules were somewhat different when he was chosen).

Here are a few notable prospects who could be packing their bags:

Cubs - Christian Franklin, OF

To me, Franklin is probably the most intriguing player available in this year’s Rule-5 Draft. In just 98 games, the Cub’s No. 21 prospect (MLB.com) shined at the dish.

He recorded a strong 135 wRC+, with 5 HR and 38 RBI. Franklin walked at an elite 16.6% clip and did damage on the basepaths with 34 stolen bags. This is a player I see getting a chance on a 40-man roster because of his on-base ability, and knack for being a productive runner.

Franklin’s swing isn’t the prettiest, as he pounds the baseball into the ground most of the time (60% rate in 2024), but he has the speed to get away with it, even at the MLB level.

Via Fangraphs, his raw power grades around 50-55, so I also believe there may be some untapped pop. The Arkansas product turned 25 years old a few days ago.

Twins - Kala’i Rosario, OF

While Rosario is younger (22 years old) and riskier than Christian Franklin, he may boast more upside. The Twins 2020 draftee has never posted a season in the Minor Leagues with a wRC+ under league average.

Ranked as the No. 19 prospect in the Twins system (MLB.com), Rosario can hit the ball 108+ mph and may have the highest raw power in this year’s Rule-5 class. The only problem is he may also hold the most swing-and-miss.

He struck out at a dismal 30.4% clip this season in Double-A, and could seriously get carved up by Big League pitching. The home runs also haven’t come as often as anyone in Minnesota’s system would’ve liked.

Nevertheless, Rosario is intriguing. He punishes left-handed pitching; according to Just Baseball, his OPS vs. LHPs has floated around the .900s. He may not be ready for the Bigs yet.

Rangers - Bryan Magdaleno, LHP

Possibly the best Minor League reliever you’ve never heard of, Magdaleno shined in the Rangers farm system all season long in 2024.

Outside of the Rangers' top 30 prospects on MLB.com, I struggled to find a photo of Magdaleno. I had to grab an image of him from his personal Instagram.

The 23-year-old southpaw pitched to the tune of a 1.27 ERA across three levels of MiLB, and while he doesn’t have much experience past A ball, his stuff looks ready for any MLB bullpen.

An absurd 14.3 K/9, 0.94 WHIP over 42.2 innings in ‘24 (shoutout to Just Baseball for accumulating his stats), Magdaleno has two plus pitches with his four-seam fastball and sinker.

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Before you hear me out, feast your eyes on his gorgeous Baseball Savant page:

Not convinced? Fine. Let’s dive in.

Devin Williams’ name has been tossed around all winter, as the Brewers elite closer is reportedly on the trade block. But what makes Williams elite? How does he separate himself from the pack? His outlier pitch.

Williams’ “Airbender” changeup seems to defy gravity when released from his hand, as it has extreme horizontal movement with a deceptive release point. Watching him pitch on TV reminds us all that baseball is very, very hard.

Paired with his fastball, the RHP has been able to get hitters out at a consistent clip since he was called up (except for Pete Alonso), thanks to his changeup. Earning MVP votes in 2023, and racking up 375 strikeouts across 235.2 IP, Williams is undoubtedly elite.

Another elite closer? Emmanuel Clase.

Clase was in the AL Cy Young conversation for most of 2024 until Tarik Skubal pulled away from him down the stretch. The Guardians’ RHP put up historic numbers, such as his 0.61 ERA over 74.1 frames. He closed out 47 ballgames for Cleveland in the process.

Like Williams, Clase has an outlier pitch that makes him so effective. His cutter.

Averaging 99.5 miles per hour and hurling past 100 on a nightly basis, Clase’s cutter is borderline unhittable. Used 77% of the time, hitters posted a whopping 24.5% whiff rate against the pitch in 2024 and hit just .150. Elite.

So, where does Justin Martinez fit in with all of this?

With inexperience and small sample sizes, I believe Justin Martinez has the potential to be an elite closer, but isn’t quite there yet. One pitch in the young right-hander’s arsenal stands out to me with outlier potential among the rest.

His split-finger fastball.

In 2024, Martinez threw 204 splitters (21.8% usage rate) and dominated with it. He made hitters look silly, as they whiffed 54% of the time, a striking number. Paired with this swing-and-miss, the pitch induced a meager .098 BA, .095 xBA, .149 wOBA, .122 SLG% — unbelievable numbers. The most impressive number of all? a 65.9 K% with it. That certainly seems like an outlier to me.

One thing that worries me about Martinez’s ability to become elite is his control. Clase walked just ten batters in 2024 (3.7%) while Martinez was in the bottom 10th percentile for walking batters (11.7%).

However, Williams has had a high walk rate his entire career. His rate in 2024 (albeit a small sample size) was 12.5%. It is possible to close games at an elite level while surrendering the free pass, but not improbable. Look at Craig Kimbrel with the Orioles this past year.

If Martinez wants to reach this elite company of closers headed toward Cooperstown, he must do a few things:

1. Throw strikes more frequently.

2. Continue to use his 100 mph sinker as an outlet to fool batters with his splitter (like Williams with his fastball/changeup combo).

3. Stay healthy.

Nevertheless, he is going to be an intriguing arm to follow in 2025.

Without further ado, I carefully calculated 15 players from the Senior Circuit who flew under the radar during the 2024 MLB season — one from every club.

Braves - Ramon Laureano

Laureano began his 2024 campaign with Cleveland, which was a disaster. In 31 games, the veteran outfielder posted a dismal .494 OPS or 43 OPS+.

Atlanta took a chance on Laureano in June in hopes of getting some production while their outfield was banged up. While he played in just 67 games, the Santo Domingo native clubbed ten HR, drove in 29, and had a solid 128 OPS+.

Marlins - Jonah Bride

After Peter Bendix sold most of his useful veteran players at the deadline, unproven players had chances to step up and play daily. Jonah Bride took full advantage.

The 28-year-old displayed some pop for the Fish, in 71 games he cranked 11 homers, along with a 123 wRC+. The 1B showed a keen eye at the plate, walking 11% of the time and grading out an elite 23.9% chase rate. I’m very curious to see what his future holds in Miami.

Phillies - Orion Kerkering

23-year-old Orion Kerkering quietly had a fantastic season in the Phillies bullpen. Although their pen didn’t show up in the playoffs, he was a big part of how successful they were over 162.

Kerkering used his elite sweeper 55% of the time to net himself a fantastic 2.29 ERA over 63 innings, 2.42 FIP, 2.94 xFIP, and 28.8 K%. There is lots to like with this young arm in Philadelphia.

Mets - Jose Butto

Jose Iglesias was probably the correct answer for this piece back in September but after the Mets went on a Cinderella run in October, he became too obvious. Enter Jose Butto, another reliever.

Butto was excellent in 2024, he carved up hitters across 74 innings with a 2.55 ERA, providing Carlos Mendoza with seven starts, and 23 relief appearances. The RHP is a versatile treat to watch.

Nationals - DJ Herz

A rookie who seemed to have come out of nowhere, Herz took the pressure off the rest of the Nationals staff by starting 19 games. The southpaw only amassed 88 innings but was very solid with a 4.16 ERA.

The most impressive thing about Herz’s season was his K%. He ranked in the top 20 in the second half K/9 and posted a 27.7 K%, the highest of any Washington arm that started a game.

Brewers - Tobias Myers

I’m not sure a lot of baseball fans had Tobias Myers making 25 starts on their bingo card this year — I certainly didn’t.

The RHP munched on 138 innings, the third most for Pat Murphy’s club. All 138 frames he chucked were good ones, as Myers played to the tune of a 3.00 ERA, 22.3 K%, and 3.91 FIP. It remains to be seen if he can reach 200 innings in a season, but the sky is the limit for the 26-year-old.

Reds - Nick Martinez

Initially, I wasn’t so fond of the Reds signing Martinez, considering Great American Ballparks dimensions, but the 33-year-old journeyman made an impact on Cincy’s staff from the get-go.

He was crafty, striking out just 116 over 142 IP, yet set a career-high in frames twirled. His 3.10 ERA was extremely impressive, and the right-hander gave Bell versatility by starting 16 yet appearing in 42.

Cubs - Nico Hoerner

The overshadowed half of the Cubs’ elite up-the-middle defense will always be Hoerner as long as Swanson is in the fold.

However, Hoerner played very well this year, posting a 3.9 fWAR, 10 OAA (top 97th percentile), and 31 stolen bases. He’s never going to hit for power, but it a DAMN good baseball player.

Cardinals - Ivan Herrera

Ignore the .370 BABIP, I’m blaming that on the sample size. Herrera only played in 72 games with the Cardinals this season, serving as a platoon-type catcher to Willson Contreras.

During those 72 contests, he posted a 2.1 fWAR, 127 wRC+, five HR, and five SB. Also contributing four blocks above average, he graded out as a solid defensive catcher. Oli Marmol, please give him more at-bats in 2025. Please.

Pirates - Luis L. Ortiz

Did you know Luis L. Ortiz appeared in 37 games this season? Did you know Luis L. Ortiz posted a 3.32 ERA across those 37 games? Yeah, me neither.

The 25-year-old was very solid in 2024, as he provided manager Derek Shelton with 135.2 innings of good enough baseball to win. The 1.0 fWAR and 4.45 xFIP show he may have gotten a bit lucky, but he deserves credit for his ‘24 campaign.

Diamondbacks - Justin Martinez

It feels like Justin Martinez is on the brink of that Devin Williams, Emmanuel Clase category of elite relief pitchers — and no one is talking about it.

The Dbacks righty contributed 72+ frames in 2024 and racked up a whopping 91 strikeouts during them (29.5 K%). He didn’t allow many runs either, with his 2.48 ERA. He’s going to fully break out in 2025 if he can consistently be around the zone. That 100 mph sinker is disgusting.

Rockies - Jacob Stallings

I may have a soft spot for veteran catchers… but 34-year-old Jacob Stallings posted the best wRC+ of his career (minimum 80 games played).

Sure, his home ballpark was Coors Field, but I legitimately couldn’t find anyone who had an underrated season besides him. I’m not counting Doyle or Tovar because they are now household names. Stallings hit nine HR and clubbed a 114 wRC+ over 82 contests with Colorado.

Dodgers - Miguel Rojas

There’s a reason why he’s on the World Series roster at the moment. Rojas has played his role perfectly in LA thus far, providing stellar defense (12 OAA), along with putting the ball in play.

With six homers, eight stolen bases, a 111 wRC+, and 2.8 fWAR over 103 games, the 35-year-old still packs a punch. Straight up underrated.

Padres - Ha-Seong Kim

He didn’t have as great of a 2024 as he did in 2023, but Ha-Seong Kim was downright underappreciated this season. The shortstop did his thing.

Kim swiped 22 bags this season, had an above-average wRC+ at 101, a great 12.3% BB-rate, and 4 OAA at a premium position. If the Padres don’t pay him this winter, somebody will.

Giants - Ryan Walker

Foolish Baseball highlights Walker all the time, but I’m still not convinced the unconventional reliever gets enough credit.

His side-winded delivery, and power fastball are so fun to watch. Walker dominated all season long with his 1.91 ERA over 80 innings — how can you not be in love with a 32.1 K%?

Here is an underrated contributor from each American League club in 2024.

Orioles - Albert Suarez

After an abundance of injuries plagued Baltimore’s pitching staff, Suarez, who hadn’t chucked in an MLB game since 2017, stepped up big time.

He finished the year with a 3.70 ERA and 1.29 WHIP over 133.2 innings, winning 9 games across 24 starts. The Orioles may not have made the playoffs without the 34-year-old to eat innings weekly.

Yankees - Luke Weaver

I’m not sure any Yankees fans viewed Luke Weaver as their bullpen darling back in March. Nevertheless, the 30-year-old played a crucial role in the Bronx all year long.

Weaver threw 83 innings, appeared in 61 games, and posted a stellar 2.93 ERA and 1.0 fWAR. His 30.9 K% was the highest on the team (minimum 40 innings pitched). He’s surely known around New York now.

Red Sox - David Hamilton

Things looked bleak at the shortstop position for Boston when Trevor Story went down on April 5. Enter David Hamilton. The speedster provided depth and versatility that the Sox desperately needed in the infield.

Hamilton swiped 33 bases, the 11th best in all of baseball. Most impressive of all? He did it in just 98 games. Nifty with the bat also, he clubbed 8 home runs and drove in 28. Credit Chaim Bloom for finding this gem.

Rays - Zack Littell

It was a known fact that the Rays’ pitching staff was banged up before the 2024 season even started. But nobody had Zack Littell leading the club’s pitching staff in fWAR by season’s end on their bingo card.

Littell, a 28-year-old journeyman had never thrown over 90 innings in a season. He threw 156.1 in ‘24 and did well. A 3.63 ERA, 21.5 K%, 4.7 BB%, 3.88 FIP, and 2.3 fWAR comfortably earned him a spot on this list.

Blue Jays - Spencer Horowitz

Taking on the role of Davis Schneider (to an extent) this year, Horowitz found himself as a regular for the first time. The 26-year-old played 96 games for a Toronto club that never hit the ground running.

He was excellent during those 96 games; the utility infielder hit 12 homers, clubbed a 128 wRC+, and walked at a 10.6% clip.

White Sox - Jonathan Cannon

I’ll admit it. It was difficult finding an “underrated” player on a team that lost 121 games this season, but 23-year-old Jonathan Cannon is who I landed on.

It wasn’t always pretty, but the youngster provided a solid chunk of innings — 124.1 to be exact. This was the third on the squad. Cannon racked up a 4.49 ERA across 21 starts, munching on outs that were so desperately needed for this historically bad White Sox club.

Tigers - Tyler Holton

Detroit didn’t squeak into the playoffs for no reason. It was a combination of great management, timely hitting, belief, and young guys stepping up. Tyler Holton was nails for the Tigers’ pitching staff in 2024.

Holton collected the club’s best ERA (minimum 60 innings), at a stout 2.19 ERA. The right-hander became a Swiss army knife, as he started nine games for the club, yet carved out eight saves in relief. He was fun to watch.

Twins - Willi Castro

Making his first All-Star game appearance in 2024, Willi Castro was a rock-steady force in Rocco Baldelli’s lineup all season long.

The super-utilityman played in 158 games, the most of any Twins hitter this season. He finished with a 3.1 fWAR, with 12 HR, 14 SB, and a 108 wRC+. One of the most underappreciated players in the game. Get familiar.

Royals - Michael Wacha

At this rate, if you don’t know who Michael Wacha is, you’re not a real baseball fan. He’s been around forever. However, the crafty veteran arm was very underrated for these playoff Royals.

Seth Lugo this, Cole Ragans that — Wacha was terrific as well. He started 29 games for Kansas City and pitched with a 3.35 ERA, along with a 21.2 K% and 3.65 FIP. A tremendously vital arm for them comes in October.

Guardians - Cade Smith

What if I told you that Emmanuel Clase will get some Cy Young votes, but didn’t have the highest fWAR in his bullpen? Cade Smith burst onto the scene quickly this spring and never really stopped.

The Cleveland setup man posted a 1.91 ERA across 75.1 innings, along with a stellar 1.40 FIP. He limited damage to perfection, as his.303 BABIP against proved his ERA probably should have been even lower.

Rangers - Wyatt Langford

How can a top prospect be underrated? You begin April and May as one of the worst hitters in all of baseball. Langford turned things on in the second half, hitting 11 of his 16 homers during that span.

The power threat also stole 19 bases for Texas and finished with a 2.8 fWAR despite being in the negatives for some time. He looks to be quite the lock for a 20 HR/20 SB season in 2025; it just took him time to get comfy.

Astros - Yainer Diaz

If I could go back in time and write this same blog for the 2023 season, I probably would have chosen Diaz. Lo and behold, he did the batting average thing again.

Diaz hit .299, good for the 8th highest BA among qualified hitters, as a catcher. He collected a 3.0 fWAR and clubbed a 117 wRC+. He still grades out as an above-average blocker behind the dish and can nab runners.

Angels - Jose Soriano

The 25-year-old proved to be a dependable arm in Anaheim’s staff during his first full season of MLB action, surprising many.

Soriano led a shaky Angels staff in fWAR with 1.7; he started 20 games yet appeared in 22, posting a 3.42 ERA and 20.7 K% across 113 innings. I’m very interested to see what the future holds for this Angels arm. Please stay healthy.

A’s - Hogan Harris

Lots of uncertainty was brought about in Oakland’s last season before the big move. This Athletics club played their hearts out on a nightly basis and were fun to watch. Hogan Harris was involved.

Much like Holton being a Swiss army knife within the Tigers’ staff, Harris served a similar role during Moneyball’s last ride. He started nine games, yet appeared in 21, posting a sharp 2.86 ERA in 72.1 innings. Get the walk rates down, and I’ll be a believer.

Mariners - Victor Robles

Sometimes, all it takes is a change of scenery. Stuck in DC, Robles was struggling and close to being out of the league. Dipoto and Seattle stepped in and saved him.

While I won’t mention his bases-loaded stealing home blunder (oops), Robles was an awesome fit with the Mariners. He clubbed a 154 wRC+ over 77 games and stole a whopping 30 bases for the club that just missed out on a postseason birth.

2024 has been no different regarding young talent making the “jump” from a possible contributor to a sure-thing lineup lock daily and household name.

Let’s take a gander at three exciting hitters enjoying breakout seasons:

1. Brenton Doyle, COL

During his rookie campaign in 2023, Brenton Doyle of the Rockies finished as one of the league’s worst-qualified hitters in terms of WAR and OPS. The then-25-year-old posted a dismal 53 OPS+ and hit a meager .203.

Looking lost at the dish, the only reason why Colorado gave him another shot to stick long-term was his Gold Glove defense.

To the surprise of many, Doyle has quickly put things all together in 2024. Once again, his outfield play has been elite — he patrols the dense Coors Field with ease and currently ranks 11th in OAA with 13.

The Warrenton, VA native has a cannon to pair, ranking in the top 100th percentile of outfield arm strength with an average of 97.5 mph. Most importantly, Doyle has made a complete 180 in the batter’s box.

He’s clubbed 22 HR, along with a 110 OPS+, .326 OBP, and 67 RBI. Not only is he speed in center field, but he’s also a weapon for head skipper Bud Black on the basepaths with 27 stolen bags on the year.

Doyle projects to be a top 30 fWAR guy year in and year out for the next few seasons, thanks to his elite athleticism, and friendly home ballpark. Now let’s hope he stays healthy considering 2023 breakout teammate Nolan Jones’ situation.

2. Jarren Duran, BOS

As it stands while writing this (9/12), Jarren Duran is currently 7th in fWAR throughout all of Major League Baseball. Who had that on their bingo card?

Much like fellow outfielder Doyle, Duran has always had the athleticism scouts drooled over. And again, like Doyle, 2024 has been the year he’s gone complete 180, finding a long-term groove.

Instead of starting hot, Duran played just slightly above-average baseball in April and May, collecting a 103 wRC+ and a 1.6 fWAR. While this encouraged Red Sox fans, by no means did it guarantee anything.

Since June 1st, Duran hasn’t looked back. He’s 4th in fWAR (4.8) with a 152 wRC+, 21 SB, 18 HR, 49 RBI, and a .560 SLG%. Oh, and he was the All-Star game Most Valuble Player in July.

Boston’s manager Alex Cora has been able to slate Duran at the top of his order, all he’s done is contribute. He’s totaled the fifth most hits this season at 174 — Duran entered this season with just 166 of those during his career.

The 28-year-old has also revived the defensive capabilities he showed off at Cal State Long Beach and in the minors. He’s grabbed 9 OAA on the year, an elite number.

3. Jurickson Profar, SD

Father time is weird. Most athletes tend to take steps back as they get older, but for Jurickson Profar, time has only seemed to help him… or maybe just the Padres.

Profar was the single-worst hitter in all of baseball in 2023. His -1.6 fWAR ranked 134th out of 134 hitters. Things looked bleak, as the 31-year-old was shipped off to San Diego in a last-ditch effort at the end of last summer.

Shockingly, San Diego and Profar seemed to have unlocked something this past winter.

For the first time, Profar was nominated the the All-Star game. It’s hard to believe he’s been in the Bigs for 11 seasons, but it’s true.

Profar currently has a 3.1 rWAR, 22 HR, 9 SB, 135 OPS+, and 82 RBI. Despite his defense still grading out as poor, it’s been a treat to see this longtime veteran platoon bat play an everyday role on a perennial playoff team.

Either way, the sport of baseball has a deep past rooted in everything from breaking a color barrier, a bird being picked out of the sky by a warm-up fastball, and a 71-year-old billy goat curse.

Since I still have a week before I head back to college, and I have nothing better to do, I’ll be dissecting (in my opinion) the greatest “baseball name” lineup of all time.

This has nothing to do with on-field production and the only qualification is an appearance in one game.

1. Coco Crisp, CF

I mean, his name sounds like a cereal brand… that’s all you need to know. Crisp doesn’t just hold one of the greatest baseball names in the history of the sport. He was a speedy outfielder who could do well in the leadoff spot for any club.

The fun-to-say alliteration’s on-field game is a bit of a lost art in baseball today. Crisp didn’t supply much pop but swiped a ton of bags. His career high in stolen bases was an impressive 49 in 2011 with Oakland.

2. Moonlight Graham, RF

If you don’t know who Moonlight Graham is, I urge you to stop reading this piece and do one of two things: watch Field of Dreams, or read Shoeless Joe.

Sure, he only played in one MLB inning way back in 1905, but that’s all Graham needs to be a part of this list. Despite not having an at-bat, I’m sliding Graham in the two-hole because of the sacrifice fly he hit in the Field of Dreams movie — you can’t teach that kind of unselfishness.

Maybe I’m just a sucker for one of the best baseball movies ever created.

3. Dan Uggla, 2B

Not only did Uggla rake during his 10-year career, he possibly has my favorite baseball name of all time. This is an easy one for me.

Averaging 28 HR across a 162-game pace, the Marlins infielder had the perfect combination of power and thick eye black to look ever-so imposing. Something about his name just scratches my brain the right way.

4. Pee Wee Reese, SS

One of two Hall of Famers to make my list, Pee Wee Reese gets the nod. It’s a goofy nickname for someone named Harold Henry, but Reese was a great man in and outside of the ballpark.

Reese played for the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1940-1958 and took three years of his career off to serve in the military during World War II.

His name rolls off the tongue well and was dubbed after marble ads appeared alongside his baseball heroics in the local Louisville newspapers. However, nothing compared to his discipline at the plate. The elite defender finished with a stellar 1210 career walks compared to 890 strikeouts.

5. Boog Powell, 1B

Standing at a towering six-foot-four, and weighing 230 pounds, Powell was an absolute presence in the batter’s box during his MLB career and is now in my all-time names lineup.

A two-time World Series champ, and the 1970 AL MVP with Baltimore, Powell’s first name carries him into this lineup. A delicious food stand in Camden Yards called “Boogs BBQ” is even dedicated to him today. He struck 339 career homers.

6. Bud Weiser, LF

Ignore Weiser’s career -0.8 rWAR and the fact that he played from just 1915 to 1916. This is an all-time baseball name for one fact, and one fact only: he’s named after a beer.

According to Webstaurantstore.com, about 14.6 million alcoholic beverages are sold at MLB stadiums each year. That’s enough to fill an Olympic-sized swimming pool and then some. The sport and the beverage go hand-in-hand all summer long.

7. Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3B

As an avid player of ‘MLB Power Pros 2008’ back when I owned a Wii, Kouzmanoff of the Padres was one of my go-to players whenever I did a dream draft.

His name is also an alliteration, and whenever I think of those Padres camouflage uniforms, Kouz pops into my head first.

I’m still upset he posted a 183 OPS+ in his last MLB season in 2014.

8. Dick Dietz, C

This one does not require an explanation.

9. Old Hoss Radbourn, P

For the sake of this list, I felt the need to include a pitcher on the mound for my make-believe lineup, as opposed to a designated hitter since lots of these players were around before the DH was.

A name like “Old Hoss” just makes me go into a blast from the past, Radbourn played pro ball before airplanes were a thing.

He collected 310 career wins on the rubber and a whopping 60 back in 1884. Radbourn is my second and final Hall of Famer to make my squad.

With the Major League Baseball trade deadline quickly approaching, I will be taking an in-depth look at two trades that make sense regarding the right fit for both sides involved.

Unfortunately, I won’t be making any official mock packages back or anything like that, this will strictly feature some perfect fits that could push these clubs over the hump come October.

1. Garrett Crochet heads to BAL in historic deal

Standing at six feet six, White Sox southpaw Garrett Crochet has always possessed the arm talent of a budding ace. The biggest question for Crochet was not IF it was going to happen, but WHEN.

After making his first career start back on Opening Day, the former Tennessee Vol quickly proved that he wasn’t just a high-leverage bullpen arm (bearing injuries, of course).

Luckily for the White Sox, Crochet has stayed healthy all season long — something he’s struggled to accomplish in the past. He’s currently made 21 starts for the last-place AL Central squad and even made the All-Star game with a 3.07 ERA and a whopping 157 strikeouts across 111+ frames. Dominance isn’t a strong enough word.

In favor of the dumpster fire that is the current Chicago White Sox, he’s maximized his trade value as well.

Crochet is a perfect fit in Baltimore. A young, hungry club ready to make a push at the World Series, the Orioles have all the talent in the world. Besides a left-handed starting pitcher.

With John Means going down for the second season in a row, not only would Crochet provide a needed left-handed arm for the Orioles, but is in a different league on the bump compared to Means.

Netting a potential AL Cy Young candidate will be expensive, but the Orioles have the necessary prospects to cough up. Rumors of Jackson Holliday being traded have circulated on Twitter after he struggled in the Show, but I think it’d be foolish to give up that easily on the No. 1 prospect in all of baseball.

Top-catching youngster Samuel Basallo will most likely headline what’s being sent back to the South Side.

2. Isaac Paredes will love the Crawford Boxes

The Rays are notorious for being aggressive in the trade market. Tampa is also notorious for trading its players at peak value, only for said players to fall off a cliff while they collect prospect packages for sport. It’s a rinse-and-repeat cycle that’s kept one of MLB’s smallest markets afloat for years.

Ironically, one of the players most likely to be shipped off in a couple of weeks, Isaac Paredes, was on the other side of one of these deals not long ago.

Currently 25 years young, Paredes was sent to the Rays when the club traded Austin Meadows to the Tigers. Once a head-scratching move, it is making the front office look like geniuses again.

Enjoying a breakout year, Paredes made the All-Star game for the first time just a week ago. The third baseman has clubbed 16 home runs, driven in 51, and boasts a 129 OPS+.

His swing decisions and plate skills are off the charts, yet poor bat speeds and exit velocities lead me to believe he may be on his way out of the Trop.

A beat-up Rays club features three important injured arms, pitchers the club views as playoff starters. Combined with being nine and a half games back in a crowded AL East, the club will most likely regroup for 2025 when McClanahan, Rasmussen, and Springs are (fully) healthy.

If the picture above doesn’t indicate Paredes would be comfortable crushing home runs 315 feet into the Crawford Boxes in Houston, I don’t know what does.

Not only does Minute Maid Park pertain to his swing, but Astros’ longtime third baseman Alex Bregman is set to hit free agency following the 2024 season and will be pricey. Paredes can look to be the long-term solution for his vacancy.

With Houston playing great baseball as of late, and the AL West being a dogfight, it’s no surprise they’d be buying. Tampa always seems to take advantage of the desperate clubs.

Paredes is still young and reminds me of a prime Eduardo Escobar sparkplug-type bat used for potential playoff runs. He has to potential to join a lineup with plenty of October experience.

Since last summer’s newly implemented draft lottery, the Cleveland Guardians have been on the clock with the No. 1 overall pick for about a year. All the speculation will finally be over, but for now, here is my final MLB mock draft.

For the sake of time, No explanation will be given. If you’re curious to see how I feel about a certain prospect, check me out on X, @DiscussBaseball for constant chatter.

1 .) CLE: Travis Bazzana, 2B, Oregon State

2.) CIN: Charlie Condon, 3B/OF, Georgia

3.) COL: Jac Caglianone, 1B/LHP, Florida

4.) OAK: Chase Burns, RHP, Wake Forest

5.) CWS: Konnor Griffin, UTIL, Jackson Prep (MS)

6.) KC: JJ Wetherholt, INF, West Virginia

7.) STL: Hagen Smith, LHP, Arkansas

8.) LAA: Braden Montgomery, OF, Texas A&M

9.) PIT: Nick Kurtz, 1B, Wake Forest

10.) WSH: Bryce Rainer, SS, Harvard-Westlake (CA)

11.) DET: Seaver King, SS, Wake Forest

12.) BOS: Trey Yesavage, RHP, East Carolina

13.) SF: James Tibbs III, OF, Florida State

14.) CHC: Vance Honeycutt, OF, North Carolina

15.) SEA: Theo Gillen, SS/2B, Westlake (TX)

16.) MIA: Cam Smith, 3B, Florida State

17.) MIL: William Schmidt, RHP, Catholic (LA)

18.) TB: Carson Benge, OF, Oklahoma State

19.) NYM: Christian Moore, 2B, Tennessee

20.) TOR: Tommy White, 3B, LSU

21.) MIN: Cam Caminiti, LHP, Saguaro (AZ)

22.) BAL: Billy Amick, 3B, Tennessee

23.) LAD: Jonathan Santucci, LHP, Duke

24.) ATL: Slade Caldwell, OF, Valley View (AR)

25.) SD: Brody Brecht, RHP, Iowa

26.) NYY: Blake Burke, 1B, Tennessee

27.) PHI: Kash Mayfield, LHP, Elk City (OK)

28.) HOU: Mike Sirota, OF, Northeastern

29.) ARI: Ryan Sloan, RHP, York HS (IL)

30.) TEX: Malcolm Moore, C, Stanford

Baseball is a rugged sport; no two players who have consistently found themselves in MLB lineups have carved out the same path. No two ever will.

For this piece, I categorize “late bloomer” as a player who needed a few seasons to get their MLB career off and running. To make things a little more fun, I won’t dive into any superstars, but a couple of regulars who were almost written off as has-beens.

Let’s take a gander:

Brent Rooker, Oakland Athletics

Brent Rooker made his MLB debut during the shortened COVID-19 season of 2020, where he appeared in just 7 games for the Minnesota Twins. The Mississippi State product didn’t reach rookie status until a year later when he played in 58 games, yet hit just .201 with an OPS+ of 89.

Considering he was already in his age-27 season in 2022, people were quick to write him off after appearing in just 16 total games between the Padres and Royals. He was heading toward baseball’s version of the “Land of Misfit Toys”.

Now, what club is notorious for rummaging through the bargain bin during the offseason? Of course, Rooker was claimed on outright waivers by the Athletics in September of 2022.

After a solid Spring Training, Rooker got his chance to be a full-time MLB contributor and has been plugged into Mark Kotsay’s lineup ever since.

On May 1, 2023, the Germantown, TN native won AL Player of the Week honors after going 10-for-24 with 5 HR and 11 RBI. He had put the league on notice.

Over 137 games last year, Rooker finished with 30 HR, while driving in 69, and boasting an OPS+ of 127. He even represented Oakland in the All-Star game.

Rooker is building off his strong inaugural season with the A’s by clubbing 13 HR, 41 RBI, and a 147 OPS+ in 2024, possessing great batted ball data in the process.

The outfielder has 3 more years of club control at the ripe age of 29, causing him to be a popular name circulating trade rumors.

How’s that for a baseball misfit?

Ryan Jeffers, Minnesota Twins

Don’t fret, Twins fans. After missing out on Rooker’s late blossoming, Ryan Jeffers fell right into the Twins’ lap.

Give Minnesota some credit. They used a second-round draft pick on Jeffers out of UNC Wilmington back in 2018. Unlike Rooker, who was drafted in the 38th round, Jeffers had some pedigree and expectations. And the Twins stuck with it.

Like our counterpart, Jeffers also made his MLB debut during the 2020 MLB season. He appeared in 26 games and even boasted an above-average OPS+ of 119.

One of Jeffers’ biggest concerns coming out of college was his K-rates. Instead of building off his first season in the Bigs, he took a step back. The catcher struck out in 37% of his at-bats in 2021 and was 17 points below the league average in OPS.

To make matters even worse, Jeffers lost out on the starting catching job to (now) World Series hero Mitch Garver. In 2021, Garver posted a 139 OPS+ and hit 13 bombs. He also had a Silver Slugger under his belt.

At age 25, 2022 wasn’t kinder to Jeffers either. Once again, he was below league average when it came to slugging and getting on base — he couldn’t grasp the starting job even after Garver was traded to Texas. Jeffers broke his thumb that season in July. Things looked bleak.

Again, similar to Rooker, Jeffers finally had his fair shot in the spring of 2023. He made the most of it.

The backstop played in 96 games for the Twins and served as the team’s primary catcher. He hit 14 home runs, drove in 43, and collected an outstanding OPS of .858 while cutting his K% down. Jeffers fully broke out that August, where he slugged .538 and smashed 5 of his 14 bombs that season.

At the age of 27, Jeffers is currently Minnesota’s full-time signal caller. His 22% K-rate is the lowest of his career, and the native of Raleigh, NC, has already hit 12 balls over the fence. He is en route to his first career All-Star appearance and is finally a household name.

Superstars Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, Aaron Judge, and Mookie Betts are acting like their usual selves — hitting the cover off the baseball. It’s no surprise.

But who are some of these unusual names gracing top statistical categories on FanGraphs and Baseball Savant?

Isaac Paredes, 3B, Rays

Paredes burst onto the scene in 2022, as the Rays were given credit once again for fleecing a trade. This time, they sold high on homegrown Austin Meadows and received the young third baseman from Detroit back in April of ‘22.

The 25-year-old began making a name for himself in 2023, accumulating a 4.3 fWAR, along with 31 home runs, 98 runs batted in, and 137 weighted runs created plus.

Despite these great numbers, the Wander Franco fiasco last summer overshadowed many juvenile Rays who did what’s expected of them once reaching Tampa Bay: break out.

Paredes has been a consistent force in Kevin Cash’s lineup since heading south. He is currently 19th in fWAR across all qualified hitters, already amassing 2.2 before the official start of summer.

The third baseman is posting a career-high 153 wRC+ and has laced 10 HR. I wouldn’t be shocked if he was suiting up for the All-Star game come July.

Josh Smith, 3B, Rangers

After last year’s rookie sensation, Josh Jung, went down with a broken wrist at the end of April, Texas needed help at the hot corner. Enter Josh Smith.

Smith had cups of coffee in the Bigs during 2022 and 2023, but never performed exceptionally, as he was consistently a below-average hitter across his first 163 contests.

In 2024, he has been anything but that. Smith has driven in 22 runs while hitting 3 homers. The LSU product has a 1.4 fWAR and a 127 wRC+.

For someone who couldn’t hit over the Mendoza line during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, Smith is hitting .281 and getting on base at an impressive .370 clip. He looks extremely comfortable in his third MLB season.

The youngster is taking advantage of what could have been a vacant hole in the Rangers’ lineup when Jung went down.

Brice Turang, INF, Brewers

I slept on Turang. Big time.

To be fair, the Brewers infielder had a sluggish rookie campaign in 2023, where his OPS+ was 60 — an entire 40 points below the league average.

Turang is turning heads quickly this spring, as he has emerged as a dangerous top-of-the-order bat for skipper Pat Murphy.

He’s hitting .298 with 3 HR, 21 RBI, with 12 doubles. Most impressively, he’s 20-for-21 on stolen base attempts in 2024, currently tied for second in all of baseball in the category.

The increase in doubles shows that Turang is now driving the ball, and it’s helped increase his OPS from last year from a dismal .585 to a now healthy .773.

These players put in the work this offseason, propelling themselves to great starts to their 2024 campaign!

Over the past two seasons, the Hyannis Harbor Hawks have made noise. The club enters 2024 off back-to-back West Division playoff births; it’s no secret the squad has been filled with pro-ready players who have helped them reach this point.

Let’s take a second to meet a handful of players who share the possibility of being selected on day one of the 2024 MLB Draft.

Christian Moore, UTIL, Tennessee

A native of Brooklyn, New York, Moore turned the heads of many during his freshman season in Knoxville. The right-handed hitter smashed his first career home run in his first career start back in 2022 and never took his foot off the gas.

Moore or “C-Mo” has enjoyed an illustrious career as a Vol. He most recently broke the school’s single-season home run record with 27 and is in sole possession of most career home runs with 54 — he’s only a junior.

His career stats include a .338 AVG, .446 OBP%, .685 SLG%, 147 RBI, 191 hits, 161 runs, and 30 doubles across 565 at-bats.

Built at 6-foot-1, 210 pounds, the middle infielder has shown versatility in power, and contact to all fields. While not one tool stands out amongst the rest in terms of translating to the pro level, Moore is as safe as they come while peering toward prospects at the college level.

Perhaps the safest part about Moore’s profile is that there isn’t one weakness in his game. He’s an overall stud. The Connecticut prep schooler swiped 16 bags as a sophomore, showcasing that he can reach above-average speeds between the bases. He also provides positional versatility, playing shortstop and second base in the infield, combined with high-level experience in the outfield.

With Moore, you are buying a Big League-ready bat that is SEC battle-tested and can hold its own across every facet of the game.

After his freshman campaign with Tennessee, Moore played in 22 contests for the Harbor Hawks in 2022.

Billy Amick, 3B, Tennessee

Pivoting into another Tennessee Volunteer, Billy Amick, makes this list after playing 11 games with the Harbor Hawks in 2023.

Although it was a small stint, it was an impactful one. Amick went 14-for-38 with 2 homers, 5 RBI, 22 total bases, and a 1.021 OPS, showing scouts he could keep up in a historically pitcher-friendly league.

Amick transferred to Tennessee from Clemson for his junior season (2024), in hopes of playing more third base as opposed to DH and first base. Tony Vitello plugged him into the hot corner on Opening Day, and it’s paid off.

The 21-year-old started 51 games during his inaugural season in Rocky Top, where he smashed 18 HR, along with hitting .327 in SEC play — good for an OPS of 1.070.

His hit tool is very real, grading out at 60 via MLB.com, while also posting a 55 grade for power. A smooth right-handed swing combined with tremendous bat speed leaves him a good chance at being a day-one guy.

Both Moore and Amick are productive middle-of-the-order hitters in a lineup that is currently ranked No. 1 in the country.

Cam Smith, 3B, Florida State

Sticking in the hot corner, Seminole Cam Smith is a no-brainer when thinking about some of the highest ceilings in the ‘24 Draft.

After a strong freshman campaign at FSU, Smith played in 44 CCBL games with the Hawks as a 20-year-old. He looked mature beyond his years, clubbing .347 with 6 HR, 26 RBI, .981 OPS, and 96 total bases. He took home the “Most Outstanding Pro Prospect” honors in 2023.

Smith skyrocketed up MLB.com’s 2024 rankings and currently sits at 21 overall, and is being mocked in the first round regularly.

Still raw, the Florida native stands at 6’3” and displays an excessive amount of power combined with a pro-ready arm to dot across the diamond.

While the third baseman is only a sophomore, his age allows him to be draft-eligible, and he shouldn’t be on the board for too long.

He silenced all doubters this spring as he cruised to a .401 batting clip while hitting 13 balls over the fence. His OPS in 2024 for Florida State was a whopping 1.158.

Will Taylor, OF, Clemson

Two words come to mind when thinking about Will Taylor: freak athlete.

The South Carolina native committed to Clemson during his sophomore year of high school to play not one, but two sports. Taylor shined as a wide receiver and quarterback on the football field and even hauled in a touchdown pass during the Tigers’ 2022-23 season on the gridiron.

After a breakout sophomore campaign on the diamond where he posted a .362 AVG, 5 HR, 46 RBI, and 1.012 OPS while appearing in 62 games for Clemson, it was evident that baseball would be Taylor’s main focus from then on.

This spring, Taylor walked 33 times, as opposed to 26 strikeouts. Undoubtedly, he worked on his plate approach to further his game and boost his draft stock.

Taylor’s swing and bat path allow him to hit line drives consistently, and scouts believe that the power will come with age — he did club a career-high 7 HR this spring over just 145 plate appearances. Taylor was sidelined for half of the Tigers’ season with a broken bone in his wrist.

The 5’10” 180-pound speedy outfielder swiped 6 bags in 33 Cape League games with the Harbor Hawks in 2023 and hit 2 home runs.

Mike Sirota, OF, Northeastern

Last but not least, Mike Sirota of Northeastern will most certainly hear his name called on day one of the upcoming July MLB Draft.

Standing at 6’3” yet just 188 pounds, Sirota displays a sneaky amount of power combined with speed in the outfield. Twitchy and athletic, Sirota has above-average bat speed and great hand-eye skills, contributing to excellent bat-to-ball skills.

With a real 20 HR and 20 SB potential at the Major League level, he has been mocked in the 1st round regularly.

Sirota played in Hyannis for the summer of 2022 and 2023 — appearing in 24 games, driving in 17, and hitting three long balls in the process.

His Cape League career OPS is an impressive .942, yet at Northeastern, his freshman and sophomore combined OPS is sky high at a 1.060 clip.

Sirota burst onto the scene during his sophomore campaign for Mike Glavine at Northeastern, where he started in 55 games, depositing 18 home runs despite the outfielder’s wiry frame.

Battling through an injury-riddled 2024 campaign for the Huskies, Sirota still got on base and slugged at an elite rate, boasting a .986 OPS.

On Sunday, July 14, the 2024 MLB Draft will kick off — do not be shocked to hear the names of these five young men that night.

Ironically against Skenes’ future Pittsburgh Pirates, the Nationals’ Ace wowed the D.C. crowd, twirling 7 innings of 2-run ball, scattering just 4 hits. It was a dominant performance from the first pitch.

Most remarkably, Strasburg fanned 14 batters — the second most in a Major League debut behind J.R. Richard in 1971, and Karl Spooner of the Dodgers in 1954, who each punched out 15.

But this piece isn’t about Strasburg. You clicked on this because of Skenes.

The Good

The attendance.

When hype arrives in a city, crowds will follow. And the city of Pittsburgh is STARVED of something to be excited about baseball-wise. According to Arving Gonzalez of X, the paid attendance for the LSU product’s debut was 34,924. The Pirates are getting less than 17,000 fans a night on average. I’m no mathematician, but that seems more than doubled to me.

Skenes made Pirates fans get into their cars or hop on the transit and head toward PNC Park on an afternoon when it was supposed to downpour.

The velocity.

It’s no secret that Skenes throws gas; it’s what he was drafted for. The ball was flying out of his hand. Skenes chucked 18 of the 21 hardest pitches thrown on Saturday’s game, including the 6 hardest. The other three were thrown by Aroldis Chapman — the guy who holds the record for the fastest pitch in MLB history.

The RHP used his flaming fastball 39% of the time, working a slider and “splinker” off of it. These three pitches accumulated most of his daily arsenal and contributed to 14 whiffs and 7 strikeouts. Skenes got half of his whiffs via the splinker.

His stuff undoubtedly plays at the Big League level.

Skenes.

For the most part, the 6’6” rookie was solid. The only run Skenes allowed when he was on the mound was a 380-foot Nico Hoerner home run that wasn’t even the 6th furthest-hit ball of the contest.

Thanks to some lackluster relief pitching, he worked a final stat line of 4 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 7 K, and 2 BB.

The Pirates won the game 10-to-9.

The Bad

Traffic on the bases.

Skenes allowed three free passes during his debut: plunking a batter and walking a pair. Over just 4+ innings, this was rather high for Skenes, as his BB/9 ratio in Triple-A this season was 2.63. I’m sure the adrenaline of a Major League debut affected him. No one is made of stone.

His WHIP ended up finishing at 2.00 for the day.

Christopher Morel.

The Cubs veteran third baseman got the best of Skenes, hammering a single at 108.4 mph, and a flyout (with a .970 xBA) at 107.5 mph. It’s worth noting that Morel has an OPS of .955 this May, including 4 home runs — he’s on some kind of tear.

The pressure.

As mentioned, Skenes ended up allowing 3 ER across his first 4 MLB innings. This results in his ERA registering at 6.75. An outpouring of comments across social media platforms has already attacked the Fullerton, CA native.

If anybody heavily judges 4 innings of a 21-year-old making his Major League debut, they don’t quite understand how being a starting pitcher in baseball works.

Skenes will be fine. He was able to work through a bases-loaded jam in the second inning and threw 64% strikes, averaging 100.1 mph. The Pirates have a plethora of young arms that ooze talent, and Skenes is right at the top. Give him time.

https://twitter.com/JMackeyPG/status/1789472968990400871

The Rangers, Twins, Phillies, and Diamondbacks served me well. Unfortunately, that was all there was to be happy about regarding my Major League Baseball crystal ball last season. After going a meager 50% or 6-for-12 with my playoff predictions, I figured, “It can’t get any worse, right?”

The first pitch of the 2024 MLB season has already been thrown, yet I’m not counting Opening Day until March 28, when all 30 clubs participate. So, naturally, these predictions still count — *sarcastic voice* of course they’ll be perfectly correct.

Because the average American doesn’t like to read more than 3 minutes at a time anymore, I’ll shorten things up to make things simple.

Here’s my 2024 American League playoff seeding:

#1 — Baltimore Orioles

#2 — Houston Astros

#3 — Detroit Tigers

#4 — Texas Rangers

#5 — New York Yankees

#6 — Seattle Mariners

My division winners:

Why Orioles at #1? The better question is why not? Baltimore won 101 games in ‘23 and got better this winter.

Sure, losing All-Star closer Felix Bautista stings, but the young core of Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westburg, Grayson Rodriguez, Kyle Bradish, and Ryan Mountcastle all have another offseason under their belts. They traded for 2021 NL Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes, and their golden goose in Jackson Holliday seems ready to go. Even in a crowded AL East, they should make the postseason no sweat.

The Astros have won the AL West across every full season since 2016. As long as Jose Altuve is in the lineup all year, I don’t think that will change. Add flamethrowing closer Josh Hader into the mix… this club is built to outlast everyone else over 162.

After improving by 12 wins from 2022 to 2023, AJ Hinch and the Tigers should secure up the AL Central. While this may be the pick I’m least confident about, Tarik Skubal looks like a Cy Young candidate, while Spencer Torkelson, Riley Greene, and Kerry Carpenter should all take leaps forward.

Additions of Mark Canha, Jack Flaherty, Kenta Maeda, Andrew Chafin, and Gio Urshela, while the Twins and Guardians didn’t do much sealed the deal.

Wild Cards:

Texas is fresh off a World Series title, and despite losing key arms like Jordan Montgomery (probably), and future Hall of Famers Jacob deGrom and Max Scherzer, their offense is gaining a full season of Evan Carter, and 1st rounders Wyatt Langford.

Surely they won’t miss the playoffs after winning the World Series…right?

I’m more confident in the Yankees making it out of the AL East rather than the Blue Jays or Rays because of one thing — Juan Soto.

Their pitching depth may be suspect, and Gerrit Cole’s health is a question mark, but Juan Soto transforms this team lineup. It is downright impossible to plan against a lineup with Aaron Judge and Soto in the heart of it.

I’m banking on Carlos Rodon to bounce back, and for Marcus Stroman to be a fringe All-Star arm like I know he’s capable of being. Throw in Alex Verdugo, Trent Grisham, and Caleb Ferguson, this squad has more depth than people think.

Lastly, it’s hard for me not to include the Mariners. Their starting pitching depth may be baseball’s most elite, with Bryce Miller and Bryan Woo rounding out the rotation.

GM Jerry Dipoto dumped high-strikeout players like Teoscar Hernandez and Eugenio Suarez, and added capable bats in Jorge Polanco, Luke Raley, Mitch Garver, and Dominic Canzone, along with fan-favorite Mitch Haniger.

Seattle magic must return.