2024-03-08 01:01:58
Ten teams are likely to make a big turnaround in 2024, but these teams all need to overcome some unknown factors before they can make the playoffs. The following are these ten teams, and the “unknown player” in the team-these unknown players must perform excellently in specific aspects before the team has a chance to return to the 2024 playoffs.
This article is compiled from X-factors for 10 teams that missed playoffs in 2023
If you look at the MLB teams that have entered the playoffs in recent years, you will find that the team that will enter the playoffs in 2023,Exactly half will not make the playoffs in 2022; Half of the 2022 playoff teams also happen to have made it to the playoffs in 2021. The point is, we’re likely to see many teams that didn’t make the playoffs last year stand out in the 2024 season, especially teams that weren’t initially expected to be competitive.
Ten teams are likely to make a big turnaround in 2024, but these teams all need to overcome some unknown factors before they can make the playoffs. The following are these ten teams, and the “unknown player” in the team-these unknown players must perform excellently in specific aspects before the team has a chance to return to the 2024 playoffs.
Chicago Cubs: Outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong
It is still possible that the Cubs can sign Cody Bellinger back, but if he cannot return in 2024, the Cubs will need multiple players to perform exceptionally well to replace Bellinger’s all-around contributions in fielding and hitting in 2023. One of those prospects is Pete Crow-Armstrong, MLB Pipeline’s No. 16 ranked prospect, who is expected to replace Bellinger at center field.
Crow-Armstrong has elite fielding ability, but it remains to be seen how much the 21-year-old rookie can contribute to the line. The Cubs lack an elite pitching lineup, so they must continue to rely on scoring ability in 2024. This also means that the team has no room for error on offense. Crow-Armstrong must perform as a hitter.
San Francisco Giants: Shortstop Marco Luciano
Needless to say, the Giants’ situation is that they need to rely on Lee Jung-hoo, Jorge Soler, and Jordan Hicks
The newly signed free agents of these teams this season must perform at their best to have a chance to compete for tickets to the playoffs. But even this may not be enough. After all, the National League West where the Giants are located has the star-studded Dodgers, the defending National League champion Diamondbacks, and the Padres, whose roster has more outstanding players than the Giants.
In addition to pitcher Kyle Harrison, who is ranked 23rd on MLB Pipeline’s top 100 prospects, the 2024 Giants will also entrust an important role to another rookie: Marco Luciano, who is ranked 39th. The 22-year-old Luciano will replace Brandon Crawford, who signed with the Cardinals, as the starting shortstop in the new season, and if he performs poorly, the Giants have no backup to replace him.
Cleveland Guardians: Catcher Bo Naylor
The Guardians have arguably the strongest pitching staff in the American League, and they are in the American League Central Division, which is the weakest in the major leagues. It seems reasonable that they can win a playoff spot in 2024 – provided that , they can find ways to strengthen their strike firepower.
Last season, among the nine-man defensive line of the Guardians, only José Ramírez and Josh Naylor (Bo’s brother) accumulated more than 300 plate appearances and had a wRC+ (normalized weighted run creation) higher than the league average. At the same time, the Guardians ranked 27th among all 30 teams in points accumulated throughout the season, and ranked last in home runs with 124, which was 27 fewer than the second-last place (Washington Nationals, 151).
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