With today marking the start of spring training, baseball is officially back, with new faces showing up to camp trying to make their names known. It’s always difficult to predict what teams will look like before the season, with previously unknown players bursting onto the scene. Whether they’re recovering from injuries, former prospects or just looking to get playing time, every season sees a few players like this shake up their organizations. These candidates have all the tools to establish themselves in the majors this season.
James Wood, Washington Nationals
A key piece in the blockbuster trade that sent Juan Soto to San Diego, Wood had high expectations as the 3rd ranked MLB prospect going into 2024. After putting up respectable numbers in 79 games, the 6-foot-7 slugger should continue to improve in a bigger role with the Nationals. He’s already projected to lead the team offensively, with the Szymborski Projection System predicting him to finish with 127 OPS+ and 20 home runs. It’s easy to see why, as he possesses top tier exit velocity and has showed immediate improvement in his last 58 games. He has also drastically improved his strikeout, walk and ground ball rate, posting a .862 OPS in that span. At only 22 years old, Wood already looks prepared to turn into a top-power hitter in the National League.
Tyler Soderstrom, Athletics
The Athletics don’t have much going for them this season. They have been forced to play in a minor league stadium in Sacramento, are projected to once again be among the worst teams in baseball and even lost ‘Oakland’ from their name, going by just the Athletics for now. Given all this, a breakout player would be a welcome sight for the franchise. Expected to be their Opening Day first basemen, 23-year-old Tyler Soderstrom is a converted catcher and former first-round pick. In limited appearances over the past two seasons, Soderstrom has seen mixed results. He struggled mightily in 2023 but looked ready to turn it around in 2024. After a slow start in May, he showed off his power throughout June, slugging 6 home runs with a .826 OPS. However, he was sidelined in early July with a wrist injury, unable to return until the last few weeks. His 2024 campaign looked promising, with a jump in exit velocity and barrel percentage, and he looked more comfortable at the major league level. Now, with a chance to get consistent playing time, Soderstrom could prove to be a solid power bat in an otherwise lackluster Athletics lineup.
Colt Keith, Detroit Tigers
Detroit made it clear they saw Keith as part of their future core when they signed him, the 22nd overall prospect at the time, to a 6-year extension before even touching the major league field. His first season in 2024 was interesting, with him looking completely lost at the plate at the start before settling in during May, hitting .342 with an .881 OPS. He then came crashing back down the next month before going off in July with a staggering 1.048 OPS with 7 home runs. He finished the season with relatively average stats going forward and struggled in the postseason. Keith displayed his excellent hit tool in his better months, and a few minor adjustments could result in more consistent results. If he’s able to lift the ball more often, take more walks and see more of his power potential as he settles into the league, Keith may live up to the hype from just a couple years ago.
Spencer Horwitz, Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates had long been looking for a solution at third base, and they brought in 27-year-old Spencer Horwitz this offseason in a trade with the Guardians. Horwitz played 97 games in Toronto last season and was quietly one of the team’s better hitters in an otherwise disappointing lineup. He posted a wRC+ of 127 in the majors and 160 in the minors. His righty/lefty splits reveal his biggest weakness, with just a 53 wRC+ against lefties, compared to 147 versus righties. If this continues, perhaps he will platoon with a righty to avoid lefties altogether. While his best asset is his contact skills, Horwitz would also benefit from improving upon a relatively low average exit velocity, ranking in the bottom third of the league. He still managed 12 home runs last season, so his power isn’t nonexistent. With a high floor, some clear upside, and a larger role in Pittsburgh, some minor improvements could make Horwitz an on-base machine and a leader for a Pirates offense that struggled mightily last year.
Ceddanne Rafaela, Boston Red Sox
Rafaela split time in the outfield and at shortstop for Boston last season and is expected to spend most of his time in centerfield to start the year for the Red Sox. His stats show that center is clearly his natural position, posting a +12 defensive runs saved, compared to negative value at short. Offensively, Rafaela has produced average to below-average numbers, a .246 average and 15 home runs in 2024, good for a .664 OPS. His biggest issue was plate discipline, striking out over 150 times and constantly falling into 0–2 counts. In fact, he was only ahead in the count in 20 out of 544 bats all year. He has shown his power potential but couldn’t get himself into hitter-friendly counts to capitalize on. If Rafaela can improve on his approach, he could give Boston a plus defender with 20+ home runs in an already competitive outfield situation when Masataka Yoshida returns and top prospect Roman Anthony gets called up.