By: Nathaniel Ascher
So far in the AL East, Giancarlo Stanton, Bo Bichette, and JD Martinez have all had amazing starts to the season. Gary Sanchez, Andrew Benintendi, and Yandy Diaz have not. Which players in the AL East this season will have breakout seasons? Which players will not live up to their potential?
Here is one breakout player and one underwhelming player for each AL East team in 2020:
Yankees:
Breakout player - Jordan Montgomery
Jordan Montgomery is coming back from Tommy John surgery, but still, he should be able to have enough endurance for this 60-game season. A southpaw, Montgomery has a nasty curveball, one that induces tons of strikeouts. In a Yankee rotation that has a lot of uncertainties, Montgomery could be a steady, reliable guy that pitches 5+ quality innings every couple of days. Look for Montgomery to be a high-strikeout, high walk pitcher. If he can limit those walks and the long ball, Montgomery could become a valuable asset for the Yankees.
Underwhelming player - Luke Voit
Luke Voit is a very hot and cold player. Some at-bats he looks like one of the best first basemen in baseball, while in others he looks completely lost. While Voit could benefit by hitting behind some of the best hitters in baseball, the pressure in a 60 game season may be too much for the first baseman to handle. While I wouldn’t be surprised if Luke Voit hits 10-15 HRs this season, I think he will have a rough third season in the Bronx.
Rays:
Breakout player - Jalen Beeks
Acquired in a trade for Red Sox opening day starter Nathan Eovaldi, Jalen Beeks is one of Tampa Bay’s many long relievers in the bullpen. In 104 ⅓ innings in 2019, Beeks had a 4.31 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, and 4.41 FIP. While these numbers are certainly not the best, Tampa Bay always turns average relievers into some of MLB’s best. Jalen Beeks has the stuff to become an elite reliever, he just needs some more major league innings under his belt. Watch as Jalen Beeks becomes one of the best long relievers in baseball in 2020.
Underwhelming - Yandy Diaz
Yandy Diaz is one of Tampa Bay’s many infielders, and as a result, he will probably only platoon against lefties this season. In 60 games with the majority of starters being right handed, Diaz will probably only start around 15 games this season and be put into many, stressful pinch hit opportunities. While Diaz had an impressive season last year, he is a perfect candidate to be a fluke. And if he starts the season off slowly, he could easily find himself occupying the bench.
Blue Jays:
Breakout - Travis Shaw
Travis Shaw, a draftee of the Red Sox, now finds himself playing 3B for the Toronto Blue Jays. Although Shaw usually hits in the middle of the Blue Jays order, he is behind the young studs Bo Bichette, Cavan Biggio, and Vlad Guerrero Jr. On the Brewers, Travis Shaw experienced both the good and bad of baseball. In 2017, Shaw hit .273 with 31 HRs, 101 RBIs, and an .862 OPS. However, in 2019, he hit .157 with 7 HRs, 16 RBIs, and a .551 OPS. If Shaw can even somewhat return to his 2017 form, he will definitely have a breakout season in 2020.
Underwhelming - Teoscar Hernandez
Teoscar Hernandez is one of many mediocre Blue Jays outfielders. Some, like Randal Grichuk, specialize in power. Others, like Derrick Fisher and Anthony Alford, specialize in speed. Teoscar Hernandez specializes in nothing. He has decent power, speed, and fielding. In a 60 game season where hot and cold streaks could define someone’s season, an all around mediocre player like Teoscar Hernandez could have an underwhelming season.
Red Sox:
Breakout - Mitch Moreland
Mitch Moreland was an all star in 2018. However, in 2019, he had a pretty average season. In 298 ABs, Moreland hit .252 with 19 HRs, 58 RBIs, and a .835 OPS. Now, in 2020, in a Red Sox lineup without Mookie Betts, Mitch Moreland has the opportunity to rack up some RBIs and try to help the Red Sox make the playoffs. While I could certainly see Mitch Moreland being an average first baseman in 2020, my gut tells me he is going to be a solid power hitter in the middle of the Red Sox lineup.
Underwhelming - Andrew Benintendi
One of the Red Sox’s most important players in their 2018 World Series run, Andrew Benintendi struggled heavily in 2019. In 541 ABs, Benintendi hit .266 with 13 HRs, 68 RBIs, and a .774 OPS. While the Red Sox lost their best outfielder in Mookie Betts to the Dodgers this past offseason, they replaced him with young stud Alex Verdugo and veteran Kevin Pillar. In Spring Training and Summer Camp, Benintendi looked completely lost at the plate. And with someone his size and build, pitchers could overpower him in a 60 game season and force him to the bottom or even out of the Red Sox lineup.
Orioles:
Breakout - Anthony Santander
Since the Orioles roster consists of mediocre AAA players at best, there are a lot of players who could in theory break out and have an impressive season. Anthony Santander could be one of these players. In 380 ABs in 2019, Santander hit .261 with 20 HRs, 59 RBIs, and a .773 OPS. While these statistics are a bit above average for an outfielder, Santander is about to hit his prime. Austin Hays, Ryan Mountcastle, and Rio Ruiz are all Orioles players who are still young. Chris Davis and Jose Iglesias are well past their prime. That’s why Anthony Santander is a great breakout candidate for the Orioles.
Underwhelming - Wade LeBlanc
Talking about players past their prime, Wade LeBlanc certainly is. In 2019, he had an atrocious season. In 121 ⅓ IP, LeBlanc had a 5.71 ERA, 1.45 WHIP, and a 5.49 WHIP. Now in his age 35 season, LeBlanc has to face the juggernauts of both the AL and NL East. The Yankees, Braves, Rays, Mets, and even Red Sox all have formidable lineups. A southpaw with a limited pitch arsenal, one that includes a below 90 MPH fastball, LeBlanc will certainly have his work cut out for him this season. If he can pitch to the likes of a Kyle Hendricks, per se, then he may be able to have a decent season. However, because he is 35, in a hitter friendly ballpark, and has an outdated pitch arsenal, Wade LeBlanc will struggle in this truncated season.
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