Spring Training is coming to an end. With 2019 being my first MLB season here at PerSources, I’ve decided to bring something new to the site.
As this is the first part of a six-part series, we’ll be looking at players to watch, dark horse teams, and call-ups who’ll be fun to watch.
AL Players To Watch
Blake Snell
Blake Snell needs a huge 2019 season. Snell came out of nowhere, winning the AL Cy Young Award in 2018, beating out future HOFer Justin Verlander (who posted a 16-9 record and 2.12 ERA). With a record of 21-5 and a 1.89 ERA and going on to lead the AL in ERA and WAR, Blake Snell has huge numbers to follow.
Many question Snell’s legitimacy for getting the award. Even though he had a 21-5 record, he only pitched 180 innings (due to injury). Verlander had 215 innings, and Kluber had 214. Although a 34-35 inning difference doesn’t seem like much, in theory, if he pitched three complete games and two innings in the last one, his season could’ve changed entirely. The lower innings might’ve even swayed the Cy Young Race. This reason alone should compel Snell to have a monster season
Projected Stat-line for 2019: 20-6 W/L, 2.00 ERA, 200 SOs.
Carlos Correa
2018 was a season to forget for Carlos Correa.
Nothing seemed to be going right for him in 2018. His batting average dipped (2017: .315/2018: .239), RBIs dropped (2017:84/2018:65), and his Strike Outs rose (2017:92/2018:111).
This year, Correa is fully healthy and looking to redeem himself for the Astros’ faithful and himself.
Correa has a legitimate chance to be an MVP caliber player year in and year out. He’s the type of player that stands out with a lineup that contains Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman. In last year’s ALCS, Correa injury gave the Redsox a huge advantage.
Projected 2019 Stat-line: .290 BA, 100 RBIs, 95 Strikeouts.
NL Players To Watch
Freddie Freeman
For too long Freddie Freeman has been looked over, not only as an Elite First Basemen, but a perennial MVP c
Freeman had career numbers not only in doubles (44) and hits (191), but he also had his highest batting average since 2013 (.319) batting a .309.
Winning his first Gold Glove and leading the Braves to the playoffs for the first time since 2013 put him fourth in MVP voting. Once again, he was overlooked for bigger names. Freeman’s as consistent as a player can get, and as he enters his age 29 season, there seems to be no slowing down. If there’s ever a time for him to finally break out and earn MVP, it’s now.
Projected 2019 Stat Line: .310 BA, 100 RBIs, 30 HRs.
Manny Machado
2018 was a roller coaster year for Manny Machado. 2019 needs to see the growth of Machado’s character and leadership skills.
Last year brought drama with the Orioles, the infamous “Johnny Hustle” interview, dirty plays, and the out that ended the Dodgers World Series ambitions.
While not having a down year offensively, he’s yet to prove himself as a leader. In 2019, Machado should use his new role to show he can lead a decent squad to the playoffs. That would show his new fan base that he’s grown and wants to win. For his stat-line, however, expect it to be business as usual.
Projected 2019 Stat Line: .290 BA, 100 RBIs, 30 HR.
Dark Horse Teams
2019 has two “dark horse” teams in the New York Mets and Tampa Bay Rays. Both teams have a chance of playing spoiler in their respective
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are quietly the most underrated team in the entire MLB. This is expected when you play in the MLB’s toughest division.
A team with no expectations is the most dangerous team of all. With a bolstered pitching rotation headed by reigning AL CY Young winner Blake Snell and Charlie Morton. Their lineup is led by Matt Duffy and Kevin Kiermaier. This team can easily pull out 95 wins and snag a Wild-Card spot. Both Wild-Card spots could come from the AL East.
For this to happen, the Rays will need to have a better record against their division rivals. Going 8-11 against the Red Sox and 9-10 against the Yankees won’t cut it. The Rays either need to win the season series or tie for them to have a shot at the postseason. They especially can’t start how they started last year, a 49-47 record to end the first half.
Projected 2019 Record: 92-70
New York Mets
In my humble opinion, I feel like the Mets will be good until after the All-Star Break. Then, they’ll show
This offseason, they made key acquisitions such as Edwin Diaz, an All-Star closer, who definitely bolsters their bullpen. They also snagged Robinson Cano, an aging but still dangerous hitter. He may not be the defensive star he was with the Yankees, but he’s a much-needed bat nonetheless. Can Cano be the run producer the Mets desperately need or is age a factor? That’s the question for New York.
The one-two punch of Jacob deGrom and Noah Syndergaard is a formidable duo, but the rest of the rotation will need to play and eat up innings, instead of being plagued by health issues.
Being in a tough division with Atlanta and Philly (who were dangerous before the Harper signing), it’s hard for me to pick them coming out the East or even getting a Wild-Card spot. This is especially true since two teams will already be coming out the East not including the Mets.
Projected 2019 Record: 85-78
Call-Ups To Look Forward To
Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will finally be making his long awaited MLB debut in the 2019 Season.
The hype around this young man is ridiculous. He hasn’t even played on the big stage once, and he’s already more well known than most of the Blue Jays’ big league crew.
Some might say it’s because of his name, but when you hit a career .323 and drive in more than 220 RBIs throughout all three levels of the minor league system, you’ve got something special. Oh, and this was all done in three seasons, by the way.
So, now it’s a matter of when he gets called up.
2019 Call-Up Prediction: mid-July (the Blue Jays season will be over by then. This is generous, trust me.)
Kyle Wright (Atlanta)
Unlike the previous player there isn’t much hype surrounding Kyle Wright.
Whether accounting for his repertoire or pitching IQ, it’s impressive to think that Wright, the Braves’ #2 prospect by MLB Pipeline, has just one full professional season under his belt.
This past Spring Training he showed that he’s big league ready. When watching him against the Red Sox, I saw a confident pitcher on the mound who’s been facing big league hitters for years now. That alone should show he’s ready for the Majors.
With injuries to there top pitchers (Foltynewicz and Gausman) who are down for at least two weeks into the season, there’s no reason he shouldn’t be called up. Wright has electric stuff with a fastball that hits 96 MPH with a sinking action. He could prove to be the pitcher they need to get out of jams while helping them charge on until their big dogs return.
2019 Call-Up Prediction: May, at the latest. The Braves need pitching especially if Foltynewicz and Gausman are injured.
As the 2019 MLB Season continues on each month, I intend to drop a monthly article recapping the previous month in the MLB. The release date for each article will be either the 31st of that month or the 1st of the following month.