Grant | Step up or down? 2 players at each infield position that will either struggle or rise in 2024

Starting Pitchers:

          The first starting pitcher that I am extremely high on is young Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal. This guy is absolutely filthy, although this guy only pitched in 15 games for the Tigers, he had over 100 Ks and withheld a very solid 2.80 ERA. Not to mention he also had a WHIP of .896. It isn't just this guys stats that have helped to have a very good start to his career, but playing in one of the most pitcher friendly parks in the MLB will continue to help the 4th year southpaw. I am not high on Detroit this year especially since they are in rebuild mode. They do have young talent like Torkleson, Skubal and others. However, if they are able to make a run into October, it will strongly be because of this guy.

Prediction: 13-7, 3.14 ERA, 208 Ks, Top 5 in AL Cy-Young.

           Now for the first pitcher that I do not have much hope for Kodai Senga. This guy was as good as he could have possibly been last year for the Mets. With a 2.98 ERA and a 12-7 record Kodai did pretty solid for a team that fell apart horribly last year. However, I believe Senga's best days are behind him and he is the 'ace' that really is not an 'ace'. Also an average defense and relatively hitter-friendly park, I don't see anything going the Mets way besides the Polar Bear this year. 

Prediction: 10-12, 3.92 ERA, 154 Ks, No Cy-Young Votes

Relief Pitchers:

           Now for somebody who is known but does not get enough credit, Emmanuel Clase. Although he did have his worse season to date this past year, he was still nasty. Posting a 3.22 ERA while leading the league in saves in BACK-TO-BACK years; and just a reminder, he's a casual 25 years of age taking the league buy storm. He has a career ERA of 2.00, and has lead the league in saves twice in 3 years? Yeah he's gonna be nice.

Prediction: 2.17 ERA, 128 Ks, 50 saves, Top 3 in Cy-Young. 

           The next guy is my favorite reliever of all time, Craig Kimbrel. This guy is one of the all-time great closers to have stepped on the mound. However, at the end of the day, unless your LeBron, age ALWAYS catches up to you. His career speaks for himself, he even signed a pretty solid deal with a contender in the Orioles. Kimbrel also has stuff going for him, playing in a pitcher friendly ball park is one of a pitchers best friends. However, he is going to be asked to save more games than he arguably ever has, which means more games, which means more chance for injuries at age 35. It sucks for me to do this, Braves Craig Kimberly is the greatest closer I have ever witnessed, however it has to happen eventually. 

Prediction: 3.98 ERA, 19 Saves, No Cy-Young Votes

Catchers:

            Time for some catchers, the first guy on this least is somebody who hit 30 homers and had a 3+ WAR. Is it Will Smith? Sean Murphy? J.T. Realmuto? Salvador Perez? No. It is Cal Raleigh from the Seattle Mariners, this is the next great catcher in the MLB. Some people may look at this guy's advance stats and think, really? But look at his spray chart, the guy hits it every wear, he isn't necessarily a pull hitter, although most of his homers are to right field. However, think about this logically, a young catcher entering his prime in age 27 year, 30 homers last year AND 3+ WAR? This is guy is gonna be a top 5 catcher this year, watch. 

    Prediction: .254 BA, 34 Hrs, .894 OPS. Silver Slugger Finalist     

           This next guy is just simply part of an older team and his prime his past him. Wilson Contreras was one of the great catchers in cubs history, great defender with a decent bat. Basically all you ask for in a catcher. However, with age starting to catch up, playing for catchers gets more and more difficult. That's why Contreras is on here. Still, he had a very productive season hitting .264 with 20 home runs. This guy will go down as a great player as he possibly finishes his career following in the great footsteps of Yadier Molina. 

Prediction: .239 BA, 11 HRs, .728 OPS

First Basemen:

            Let's go up north for the 2nd time with the same team, Josh Naylor. The Naylor's are one of a few sets of brother to ever to put the same uniform on at the same time. Josh Naylor had a very good season batting .308 with 17 homers. Also posting an .842 OPS. The Guardians are a really young team trying to build around a young core; and with this guy at the center, the sky are the limit for the future for the Guardians. 

Prediction: .298 BA, 24 HRs, .887 OPS, Silver Slugger Candidate 

           The next guy on the list is Yandy Diaz. I want to be clear when I say that I DO NOT THINK that last year was a fluke year for Yandy. However, you will see with multiple guys on this list, that a natural/normal drop will occur. My biggest issue for Yandy is that he hit .330 last year, yet his career average is now .290. This means that his career average was drastically lower prior to this season. Is he still gonna be a great first basemen? ABSOLUTELY. Will it be better than last year? I do not believe so. 

Prediction: .293 BA, 20 HRs, .840 OPS 

Second Basemen:

          Ozzie Albies is the first name I would like to bring up at 2nd. Now, am I a Braves fan? Dang right. Am I biased? maybe a little... But, let me show you some stats, this guy is a switch hitting 2nd basemen, lead the league in switch hitting homers (33), and is entering his prime at age 27. .273 average, .804 OPS, and is a solid defender. Entering his prime at age 27 and he has already shown he is a top 5 2nd basemen in baseball? On a team that is not asking him to be the best player on the team? I think this is the year for Ozzie to explode and compete with Semian and Mookie for best 2nd basemen in America's pastime. 

Prediction: .285 BA, 35 HRs, .863 OPS, Sliver Slugger Runner Up

           Next guy on the list is a rookie from last year that had a stellar year, but I believe that 2nd year slump will occur. Matt McLain was sensational for the reds last year. For one of the youngest teams in the league, they surprised everybody, developing their core and now have high hopes for the incoming years. McLain is a guy who hit .290 with 16 home runs, with a very impressive 3.7 WAR in 2023. I do believe this guy will sill be a very sold player and next great 2nd basemen. However, every young player goes through struggles. 

Prediction: .268 BA, 13 HRs, 780 OPS.

Shortstop:

           Time for a couple shortstops, the first one being former World Series MVP, Jeremy Pena. The young Astro came up a couple years ago making an effort of trying to replace great shortstop Carlos Correa. Pena is doing very solid at that, besides winning WS MVP, he has solidified himself as a great defensive first guy that can be a decent hitter. With almost a 4 WAR and .263 BA and 10 homers, I expect this young kid to take a sizable step forward in the batters box. 

Prediction: .277 BA, 22 HRs, .837 OPS, Gold Glove Finalist

          Fransisco Lindor is the next guy here at shortstop. I understand he had a 30/30 year last year, however, I just do not see much life in this Mets organization for years to come. Lindor is entering his age 30 season, so if he does end up having a solid year, this might be one of the last. At the end of the day though, Lindor will be asked to be the guy this year, which I do not think he will be able to live up to. Sorry Mets, but, it might be a long couple of years. 

Prediction: .249 BA, 19 HRs, .762 OPS

Third Basemen:

           Now let's go to the west coast to meet arguably the best defensive 3rd basemen in the league, Matt Chapmen. Coming off a contract year, Chapman had an incredible start for a couple months, until he went back to his normal All-Star caliber defense, and his 'meh' bat. Now, Chapman has a chance to line up more money for himself, with an option next year included in his deal with the Giants, Chapman could possibly get the 9-figure deal he has been asking for; and I think that he will get that.

Prediction: .260 BA, 25 HRs, .863 OPS, Gold Glove WINNER          

           The final guy on today's blog is Manny Machado. The Padres had all of the talent they could have asked for the past couple years and could not get it done. After the Soto trade, I do not se the Padres doing much of anything this year, especially when they are relying on Machado who had his worst year to date this past year. Combining his age with the sub-par roster, I expect the Padres to start looking ahead for the future years. Maybe even Machado can be traded to a contender around the deadline.

Prediction: .254 BA, 22 HRs, .764 OPS