The flowers are blooming, the weather is warming up, and it is time again for America’s pastime; Major League Baseball. Although the World Series ended a short 4 months ago and it feels like a lifetime, the wait is over.
There was plenty of movement of players this winter between teams, but none bigger than Juan Soto to the New York Yankees, a 25-year-old phenom who will join the likes of 2022 AL MVP Aaron Judge, 2023 AL CY Young Gerrit Cole, and lots of other young talent in the Bronx in route for ring #28.
Other big free agent signings and trades this offseason were Corbin Burnes, 2021 NL CY Young to the Orioles, Cody Bellinger, 2017 NL MVP back to the Cubs, 2021 and 2023 AL MVP Shohei Otani to the Dodgers for the largest contract in MLB history (ten years, 700 million), and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the international phenomenon to the Dodgers.
Teams that had lots of success in 2023 like the Braves, Astros, Diamondbacks, Rangers and Phillies kept most of their same core together, adding bits and pieces to round out the squad and hope to run it back this year.
Not only are players in the game now hoping to help their teams, but lots of prospects are ready to make the jump this year from the minor leagues into the majors. This includes #1 overall prospect 20-year-old shortstop for the Baltimore Orioles Jackson Holiday, son of former baseball player Matt Holiday, Milwaukee Brewers outfielder Jackson Chourio, #1 overall pick from the 2023 MLB draft starting pitcher Paul Skenes, and #2 pick from the 2023 MLB draft center fielder Dlyan Crews.
With so much to be excited about in the MLB last year, Drew Hess ’27 had some predictions for the season this year.
“I think that the whole NL Central is slept on,” Hess said. “But none more than the Cincinnati Reds.”
Jack Peacock ’27 also had some opinions to share about what he thinks will happen in the 2024 MLB season.
“One team that I think could win it all this year is the Orioles,” Peacock said. “They have a ton of really good prospects, and are gonna be dangerous this year.”
Matthe Bartoszewicz ’27 has played baseball for a long time and loves to follow the MLB.
“I think that the Tigers are gonna win the AL Central this year,” Bartoszewicz said. “They have made some great additions to the team this offseason, and I think they are ready to make the next step from last year.”
