Grading the 2024 season for each MLB crew
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The 2024 MLB common season is within the books. Some groups reached expectations, whereas others had a yr of disappointment. This is how all 30 groups graded.
Zac Gallen, Eduardo Rodriguez, and Merrill Kelly, whereas famous person Corbin Carroll struggled for a lot of the yr. But, the crew’s offense continued to flourish, and the bullpen got here collectively whilst Paul Sewald struggled. It is exhausting to see how the crew may have had a greater common season given the circumstances.
Ronald Acuna Jr., Michael Harris, Austin Riley, Ozzie Albies, Sean Murphy, and Spencer Strider for vital parts of the season, whereas Matt Olson did not come near matching his profession yr from 2023. But, Chris Sale emerged because the clear NL Cy Younger winner after a no brainer commerce, and the crew was within the playoff race all yr. The Braves additionally noticed Spencer Schwellenbach emerge within the beginning rotation, although the dearth of total organizational depth made the duty too tough.
Grayson Rodriguez, Kyle Bradish, and John Means created enormous setbacks, however the entrance workplace additionally failed to enhance the crew sufficient on the commerce deadline. Baltimore is enjoying the long run with their present core, although they’d an actual shot at a World Sequence in entrance of them.
Lucas Giolito earlier than Opening Day, remaining within the playoff race till mid-September needs to be thought of a win. Nevertheless, the Pink Sox have a purpose for a lot greater expectations, given their market and fanbase, which is an indictment of possession’s current thriftiness. Nonetheless, the crew noticed enormous progress from a bevy of younger gamers together with Ceddanne Rafaela, Jarren Duran, and Wilyer Abreu, whereas the pitching workers was terrific underneath new coach Andrew Bailey. With an elite farm system able to sprout, there’s purpose to imagine greater issues are in retailer for 2025.
Craig Counsell and the numerous addition of Shota Imanaga together with re-signing Cody Bellinger. Sadly, the Cubs could not dig out of an early gap struggling to attain runs and shut out video games. Cubs followers did see so much to love from younger gamers like Michael Busch and Pete Crow-Armstrong, with extra strong kids set to assist subsequent season, however failing to make the playoffs in a really winnable division should be thought of a disappointment.
Luis Robert Jr., Eloy Jimenez, and Yoan Moncada missed time to harm, whereas others like Andrew Vaughn and Gavin Sheets had been disappointing. The one shiny spot was Garrett Crochet, who returned from harm to be the crew’s clear ace. Chicago does have some intriguing prospects on the best way, notably on the pitching aspect, however it might be some time till they’re wherever near rivalry.
Matt McLain, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and Noelvi Marte, however it’s nonetheless truthful to say Cincinnati underachieved regardless of these losses. Whereas Hunter Greene delivered as an ace and Elly De La Cruz was as thrilling as marketed, the athletic outfield was stagnant and the bullpen struggled to search out dependable innings. The late-season arrival of starter Rhett Lowder and return of the crew’s injured kids offers them hope for subsequent season, however supervisor David Bell was deserving of his firing within the remaining week of the season.
Stephen Vogt filling the sneakers of Terry Francona to simply win the AL Central for the second time in three years. The lineup took an enormous step ahead with Josh Naylor and Steven Kwan complementing Jose Ramirez, however the beginning rotation was patchwork following Shane Bieber’s early-season harm. Vogt made it work with Tanner Bibee and a mixture of vets and children, supported by the most effective bullpens we have seen in trendy baseball.
Kris Bryant, Kyle Freeland, and German Marquez proceed to flounder. The crew additionally noticed a serious step again from 2023 breakout star Nolan Jones, however Brenton Doyle, Ezequiel Tovar, and Michael Toglia had robust years to make up for him.
Tarik Skubal, with the assistance of Riley Greene, Kerry Carpenter, and Parker Meadows getting back from harm. The crew’s future seems even brighter with a robust farm system.
Kyle Tucker lacking about half the yr on account of a mysterious leg harm and Justin Verlander struggling. The crew has purpose to be glad about one other nice season from Yordan Alvarez and the emergence of starter Ronel Blanco.
Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha had been key, whereas Cole Ragans continued to show he is a reputable ace. The lineup had its justifiable share of holes and considerations transferring ahead, however Bobby Witt Jr. is not certainly one of them after placing collectively an MVP-level season.
Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon failed to remain on the sector once more, whereas the younger pitching led by Reid Detmers took an enormous step again. Latest first-round picks Zach Neto and Nolan Schanuel had been two of the few shiny spots for a company that desperately must be offered and rehauled.
Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Teoscar Hernandez, amongst others. Accidents prevented the Dodgers from reaching expectations through the common season, however they nonetheless managed to win the NL West for the eleventh time in 12 years. Specializing in his offense whereas rehabbing his elbow, Ohtani had a historic 50/50 season, and the crew had no bother promoting tickets. Nonetheless, accidents to the pitching workers put critical stress on supervisor Dave Roberts.
Sandy Alcantara and Eury Perez. Nonetheless, the autumn was steeper than anticipated, with the fourth 100-loss season in franchise historical past. New president of baseball operations Peter Bendix did a pleasant job restocking the farm system, however that does not give a lot solace to followers who’re seeing the all too acquainted recycling of the roster after the crew unloaded Luis Arraez, Jazz Chisholm, Josh Bell, Bryan De La Cruz, Tanner Scott, and Trevor Rogers.
Corbin Burnes, most anticipated the Brewers to complete on the backside of the NL Central. The younger crew didn’t pay attention, with a deep roster led by catcher William Contreras and ace Freddy Peralta. Promoted supervisor Pat Murphy did an awesome job permitting his younger gamers to emerge on their very own time, led by star rookie Jackson Chourio, and the pitching workers noticed Tobias Myers, Jared Koenig, and Bryan Hudson emerge from obscurity. Extra impression was the truth that the Brewers dominated the division despite star Christian Yelich enjoying solely 73 video games on account of a persistent again harm.
Matt Wallner, Trevor Larnach, and Jose Miranda rising, together with good years from veterans like Byron Buxton, Carlos Correa, and Carlos Santana, Sadly, the Twins suffered vital accidents at inopportune instances, operating out of viable beginning pitching late within the yr after Joe Ryan and Chris Paddack went down. The story of 2024 is certainly one of failed potential, however the total well being of the group is nice with a deep roster and farm system again in 2025.
Steve Cohen bought the crew, however it was the incremental strikes of latest baseball head David Stearns that led the crew again to relevancy. After all, large years from stars Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, and Edwin Diaz had been key, however the Stearns’ strikes could not have turned out significantly better with Luis Severino, Sean Manaea, J.D. Martinez, and Jesse Winker completely complementing the roster. The emergence of Mark Vientos places the crew on a robust trajectory, even with some main selections to make within the offseason.
Brian Cashman and firm to rebound, they usually did simply that with one other AL East division title. The addition of Juan Soto could not have gone significantly better, making a scary lineup tandem with Aaron Decide. Whereas Gerrit Cole had uncharacteristic well being struggles, the beginning rotation proved greater than deep sufficient with a rebound season from Carlos Rodon and breakout starter Luis Gil. Nonetheless, the crew appeared flawed heading into the playoffs, with a shaky bullpen after Clay Holmes was faraway from the nearer function.
Brent Rooker, Lawrence Butler, and JJ Bleday, whereas the bullpen was additionally robust as Mason Miller was practically computerized on the finish of video games. With minimal sources, the entrance workplace continues to do a robust job mixing in proficient younger gamers with the hope that the A’s can be prepared for one more playoff run by the point they transfer to Las Vegas in just a few years.
Bryce Harper, Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, Zack Wheeler, and Aaron Nola, whereas there have been additionally just a few surprises like Ranger Suarez and Cristopher Sanchez. The entrance workplace has efficiently transitioned the bullpen from mediocre to elite in two years, however the crew was met with few actual challenges whereas they cruised into the playoffs.
Paul Skenes, who was exactly as marketed, plus a robust yr from fellow rookie Jared Jones. Pittsburgh remains to be missing of their lineup past Bryan Reynolds and Oneil Cruz, however a protracted line of strong pitching prospects on the cusp may make the Pirates formidable quickly.
A.J. Preller added Dylan Stop firstly of the season, and did not cease there with different key additions like Luis Arraez, Tanner Scott, and Jason Adam. San Diego additionally noticed their return within the Juan Soto commerce ship, led by Michael King, and thrifty offseason additions Jurickson Profar and Jeremiah Estrada had been key contributors.
Blake Snell, Jorge Soler, and Matt Chapman at low cost costs. Sadly, the late signings confirmed on the sector, and the crew had their third consecutive mediocre yr. They head into the offseason with much more uncertainty, however nonetheless have a proficient sufficient core with Logan Webb, Heliot Ramos, and Chapman to make a fast turnaround if the celebrities align subsequent season.
Randy Arozarena, and J.P. Crawford can rebound.
Masyn Winn and Alec Burleson, however the identical cannot be mentioned for Jordan Walker and Nolan Gorman whereas many of the crew’s veterans had down years. The final time the franchise was at such a breaking level was the mid-1990’s, when the Cardinals made drastic adjustments led by the hiring of Tony La Russa.
Shane Baz, Drew Rasmussen, and Shane McClanahan to heal from harm. Most regarding is the downfall of their offense, with nearly your entire crew having down years. Tampa Bay ought to have loads of arms to leap again into rivalry subsequent season, however they’ll want Josh Lowe, Christopher Morel, and Junior Caminero to make parallel strides.
Marcus Semien, Corey Seager, and Max Scherzer had down years. Accidents additionally took a toll, notably with Josh Jung and Evan Carter. At the very least on paper, Texas seems like some of the seemingly bounceback groups in 2025 with the injured gamers returning, together with Jacob deGrom, plus the ascent of extra younger gamers like Wyatt Langford, Kumar Rocker, and Jack Leiter.
Jose Berrios and the lineup wasn’t significantly better. There are large questions on Bo Bichette heading into his stroll yr, and George Springer is beginning to see an enormous age decline. The rebound to stardom for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. does give the crew and followers some hope.
James Wooden, with Dylan Crews getting promoted down the stretch. The outlook for the pitching workers additionally seems higher after the contributions of DJ Herz, Jake Irvin, MacKenzie Gore, and Mitchell Parker. One large query heading into the offseason is the standing of C.J. Abrams, after he was demoted to Triple-A within the final week for off-field points.
Seth Trachtman is a sportswriter, digital marketer, and fantasy sports activities professional based mostly in St. Louis, Missouri. He’s a two-time winner of the Tout Wars Fantasy Baseball Knowledgeable’s League, and his work has appeared in lots of of fantasy baseball and fantasy soccer newsstand and on-line publications. He’s a College of Missouri alum and long-suffering turned spoiled Kansas Metropolis Chiefs fan. Seth does not typically Tweet, however when he does, you’ll find him on Twitter/X @sethroto.
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