3 Hitters I "Like" For 2024
Foolish Baseball's "5 hitters I like" youtube video has inspired me to construct my own short list!
Every year it seems as if a multitude of MLB youngsters make the leap from Big League hopeful to regular, or regular to superstar.
Instead of picking obvious breakouts like Jackson Holliday, Jackson Chourio, or Colt Keith, I’ll cast a lens on some not-so-obvious guys. If you’ve been reading me for a while now, you know it’s not unusual for me to search for gems.
1. Tyler Black - Brewers
If you’ve never heard of Tyler Black — that’s okay. The 23-year-old has yet to make his Major League debut. However, I expect the Wright State University product to be in the show by summer.
Black, the Brewers 4th ranked prospect according to MLB.com, enjoyed an elite 39-game stretch at the Triple-A level. He clubbed 4 HR, drove in 8, and had a 141 wRC+ with a 15.6 BB% compared to his 13.3 K%.
While a 39-game stretch isn’t the biggest sample size in the world, Black has consistently walked at a 15% clip or better throughout his professional career, leading me to believe he has a knack for understanding the strike zone.
Don’t take Black’s Spring Training struggles into account, a 27-plate appearance sample size is nowhere close to valuable information. If Black doesn’t make the club’s Opening Day roster, expect him to make adjustments and tear up Triple-A again.
Tyler Black will establish himself as a Big League regular by September.
2. CJ Abrams - Nationals
Sticking with the National League and infield, CJ Abrams is another hitter I like for the 2024 MLB season.
Abrams started slowly in 2023, hitting just .235 with a .709 OPS during April. Because of this, many questioned whether or not he was ready for the Majors.
However, the Nats shortstop was quick to silence any negative thoughts, crushing 11 homers, a 1.5 fWAR, and 95 wRC+ in the second half. More impressively, he swiped 33 bags, despite grabbing just 14 in the first half. Abrams led all of baseball in base thefts during the 70-game stretch, edging out NL MVP Ronald Acuña Jr by one.
Abrams started cooking with gas in July, he slashed .327/.891 with 3 homers and kept the solid play late into the season clubbing 4 dingers in both the months of August and September.
The way I see things, the only thing holding back Abrams from becoming an All-Star in 2024 is his defense. The former Padres draftee struggled at the premium position, wracking up -9 OAA.
If Abrams can learn to walk at a higher clip, his stolen base rate will only grow. I’m predicting the athletic middle-infielder to lead MLB in the category this season. He’s a must-watch in DC.
3. Wilyer Abreu - Red Sox
It’s about time a Red Sox makes one of these lists.
Acquired during the 2022 trade deadline, the Red Sox exchanged their World Series backstop for two prospects, Wilyer Abreu and Enmanuel Valdez.
Abreu made his MLB debut in 2023, at the age of 24. Right from the jump, the outfielder made an impact. In just 28 games, he slugged .474, with a .862 OPS (132 OPS+), Abreu was not afraid of the moment.
A native of Venezuela, Abreu did a little bit of everything over his first 76 at-bats, amassing a rWAR of 0.8, with 2 HR, 3 SB, and 49.1 HardHit%.
The underlying metrics are kind to Abreu, as he ranked above average in xwOBA, xBA, xSLG, BB%, and average exit velocity. Before getting called up, the former Astros was posting. a16.3 BB-rate with a 130 wRC+ in 86 Triple-A contests — a bigger sample size.
Will he be an All-Star in 2024? Probably not. But, I expect Abreu to emerge as an everyday outfielder roaming the greenery of Fenway Park.