Powerhouse Performers and Strategic Trades: A Baseball Season Recap
The 2024 baseball season delivered a compelling narrative of power and precision, as several players showcased standout performances and marked themselves as prime assets for their teams. From home run heroes to pitching prodigies, the season's highlights reflect a blend of individual excellence and strategic evolution.
Sluggers Define the Diamond
Juan Soto solidified his reputation as one of the league's formidable power hitters, amassing at least 35 home runs in consecutive seasons. As Soto enters free agency, his consistent power-hitting record makes him a coveted piece in the free-agent market. Not far behind, Pete Alonso continued his tradition of power, surpassing 30 home runs in every full season of his career, reinforcing his status as a staple in the lineup.
Anthony Santander etched his name in the record books by becoming the first switch-hitter since 2006 to achieve the 40-home run milestone in a season. Meanwhile, Christian Walker has maintained dominance at first base, underscoring his enduring value to his team.
Teoscar Hernández, not to be overlooked, delivered a strong performance, marking four standout seasons out of the last five. Versatility and sustained success like Hernández's make players invaluable assets in any team’s competitive arsenal.
Pitching Mastery and Tactical Adjustments
On the mound, Corbin Burnes has consistently demonstrated elite capabilities, earning All-Star honors for four consecutive seasons—a testament to his remarkable skill and consistency. Similarly, Blake Snell has continually impressed, securing his reputation with two Cy Young Awards.
Max Fried stood out among left-handed pitchers for his exceptional ERA+ since 2020, illustrating both his dominance and reliability with a minimum of 200 innings pitched. Notably, Sean Manaea showed significant improvement after modifying his delivery, taking cues from Chris Sale's technique.
Jack Flaherty and Luis Severino's adjustments to their pitching approaches resulted in enhanced performances, showing that strategy and adaptation remain crucial in a pitcher's repertoire. While Flaherty tweaked his fastball axis and pitch mix, Severino adjusted his pitch arsenal, enjoying a season of renewal.
Roki Sasaki delivered a moment of perfection with a staggering 19-strikeout game in 2022, an achievement that underscores his potential to be a future ace. Conversely, Max Scherzer faced challenges this season, being limited to just nine starts, emphasizing the impact injuries have on even the most established players.
Resiliency and Team Contributions
The season also highlighted players who overcame past struggles to make significant team contributions. Blake Treinen surpassed his 2021 form despite previous injuries, while Kirby Yates showed resilience by throwing 60 innings in consecutive seasons. Charlie Morton, with over 30 appearances each year for the past four years, demonstrated remarkable durability.
Jeff Hoffman's 184 ERA+ over two seasons with the Phillies showcased his value. Meanwhile, Yusei Kikuchi, after being acquired by the Astros at the trade deadline, posted an impressive 147 ERA+, further proving the impact strategic mid-season trades can have.
Injuries and Comebacks
Still, the shadow of injuries loomed over the season. Shane Bieber's recovery from Tommy John surgery is expected to extend into mid-2025, while Ha-Seong Kim requires shoulder surgery, likely sidelining him into the next season. These long-term recovery timelines remind us of the unpredictable nature of the sport and the physical toll on athletes.
For those enjoying a resurgence, Carlos Estévez achieved a career-best 171 ERA+ in 2024, indicating a successful comeback. Jurickson Profar reached a career milestone with his first star-caliber season at age 31, showcasing that perseverance and hard work can yield significant results.
Efficient Offensive Performers
Offensively, Alex Bregman demonstrated his continued value, compiling the sixth-most Wins Above Replacement (WAR) for third basemen since 2020. Justin Turner, despite his advancing age, maintained an above-average offensive pace, illustrating that experience and skill do not always fade with time.
The strategic leverage also extended to platoon advantages, with Donovan Solano showing significant value against left-handed pitchers. Joc Pederson, achieving a career-best 151 OPS+, exemplified how focused improvements can elevate a seasoned player’s impact.
Meanwhile, Gleyber Torres experienced one of the less productive seasons, recording the second-lowest OPS+ of his career in his walk year—an outcome that could influence his future contract negotiations.
The Road Ahead
As teams look forward to the next season, the performances and adjustments made by key athletes this year provide a strong foundation upon which to build. The combination of power, precision, resilience, and strategy observed this season encapsulates the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of professional baseball.