Opening Day 2025 is just around the corner, and baseball fans are already buzzing about who might have a breakout season. But before we look ahead, let’s check in on eight players who shocked everyone with their performances last year.
Ronel Blanco came out of nowhere to become one of 2024’s best stories. The 30-year-old Astros pitcher, who had barely started any MLB games before, threw a no-hitter in his first start of the season. He didn’t slow down either, finishing with a stellar 2.80 ERA. While he probably won’t be quite that dominant again, he’s proven he belongs in the big leagues.
Lawrence Butler turned his career around in dramatic fashion. After struggling early and getting sent down to the minors, the A’s outfielder came back with a vengeance. He hit .291 with 20 homers in just 84 games after his return. The best part? Everything suggests this wasn’t a fluke – Butler’s got serious power and keeps improving his contact skills.
Garrett Crochet might be the most exciting name on this list. The Red Sox’s new lefty made his first All-Star team after the White Sox turned him into a starter. His numbers were incredible – he actually had the best strikeout-to-walk ratio in baseball among qualified pitchers. If he stays healthy, he could be even better in 2025.
Jarren Duran had one of the best seasons by a Red Sox player in over 60 years. He was so good he won the All-Star Game MVP. Unfortunately, he also made headlines for the wrong reasons after using a homophobic slur toward a fan, earning a two-game suspension. On the field though, his combination of speed and power makes him a cornerstone player for Boston.
Michael King went from being part of the Juan Soto trade package to becoming the Padres’ best starter. He finished seventh in Cy Young voting and posted a 2.95 ERA. The only question is whether he can stay healthy – he’s had injury issues throughout his career.
Tobias Myers might be the most surprising success story. After bouncing around six organizations by age 25, he finally got his shot with Milwaukee and delivered a 3.00 ERA. But there are some warning signs – he doesn’t miss many bats or generate weak contact, so he might have a tough time repeating that performance.
Jurickson Profar finally lived up to his top prospect billing – at age 31. The Braves outfielder set career highs across the board and made his first All-Star team. While it’s unusual to see such a late breakout, all the underlying numbers suggest he made real improvements.
Mark Vientos took over as the Mets’ third baseman and never looked back, crushing 27 homers in just 111 games. His power is definitely real, but he might need to improve his plate discipline to maintain his overall production level.
