Power Surge: MLB's Heavy Hitters and Their Remarkable Seasons
The 2024 Major League Baseball season has witnessed a remarkable display of power hitting and pitching prowess, with several standouts making their mark in the annals of the sport. As clubs assess their offseason strategies, the performances of some of baseball's brightest stars promise to leave a lasting impact.
Home Run Heroes
Among the hitters, Juan Soto has captured the spotlight, hitting at least 35 home runs in consecutive seasons. As he enters free agency, speculation about his future team is reaching a fever pitch. Soto's consistent performance at the plate underscores his value as a potential acquisition for any team looking to bolster its offensive lineup.
Teoscar Hernández has also made headlines, boasting four impressive seasons in the past five years. Across the league, other power hitters have made their own mark. Pete Alonso, for example, continues to demonstrate his slugging prowess, hitting over 30 home runs in every full season of his career.
Anthony Santander, meanwhile, has etched his name in the record books, becoming the first switch-hitter since 2006 to hit 40 or more home runs in a season. This achievement highlights his versatility and skill on both sides of the plate, providing a dual threat to opposing pitchers.
Pitching Excellence
On the mound, Corbin Burnes remains a model of consistency, earning All-Star honors for four consecutive seasons. Rising above challenges, Blake Snell's distinguished career has now seen him win the Cy Young Award twice, an accolade reserved for the game's elite pitchers. Not far behind, Max Fried has demonstrated remarkable efficiency, boasting the best ERA+ among left-handed pitchers with a minimum of 200 innings pitched since 2020.
Other pitchers have adapted their techniques to improve performance. Sean Manaea, inspired by Chris Sale, has modified his delivery, yielding notable improvements on the mound. Jack Flaherty, too, has refined his approach by adjusting his fastball axis and pitch mix, leading to enhanced results this past season.
Resurgence and Resilience
Blake Treinen has shown remarkable resilience, surpassing his 2021 form despite dealing with past injuries. Across the Pacific, Roki Sasaki's perfect game in 2022, featuring 19 strikeouts, remains a towering achievement that continues to captivate fans around the world.
Meanwhile, injuries have hampered some players. Max Scherzer was limited to just nine starts this season, while Shane Bieber faces a long road to recovery from Tommy John surgery, with his return anticipated by mid-2025. Similarly, Ha-Seong Kim's shoulder surgery is likely to sideline him into the next season, posing a question mark over his immediate future contributions.
Bounce-back Seasons
Luis Severino's rebound season, following an adjustment to his pitch arsenal, offers a glimmer of hope for other players seeking a fresh trajectory. Yusei Kikuchi, after being acquired by the Astros at the trade deadline, posted an impressive 147 ERA+, underscoring his value to the team.
Carlos Estévez also achieved a career-best 171 ERA+ in 2024, while Alex Bregman continued his run as a cornerstone player, compiling the sixth-most Wins Above Replacement (WAR) at third base since 2020. At first base, Christian Walker's dominant performance solidified his role as a key contributor.
Enduring Competitors
Even as Gleyber Torres experienced the second-lowest OPS+ of his career in his walk year, his potential remains undeniable. On the other hand, Joc Pederson reached new heights with a career-best 151 OPS+, providing a bright spot in his career trajectory.
Veteran players like Justin Turner have maintained an above-average offensive pace despite advancing age, demonstrating the lasting power of experience and skill. Jurickson Profar, at age 31, had his first star-caliber season, proving that persistence pays dividends.
On the pitching front, Nick Martinez demonstrated his effectiveness back in the MLB with a 126 ERA+ since returning from Japan, while Jeff Hoffman's 184 ERA+ over two seasons with the Phillies highlights his critical role in the bullpen.
Stalwarts of the Game
Dependability remains crucial, as evidenced by players like Charlie Morton, who made over 30 appearances in each of the past four years, and Kirby Yates, who has managed to throw 60 innings in consecutive seasons, overcoming previous injuries.
Finally, Walker Buehler's standout moment came as he closed out the World Series, proving that performance under pressure can redeem an otherwise lackluster regular season. As teams look ahead to the next year, the contributions of these players will no doubt influence managerial decisions and fan expectations alike.