Philly Leader

There is more than one way to build a winning Major League team, and the 12 clubs headed to the postseason in 2024 demonstrate this diversity.

The Tigers and Guardians lead the American League Central with 16 and 15 homegrown players, respectively. The Astros excel in WAR produced by homegrown players with their 13 accruing 30.8, compared to the Guardians at 25.4 and the Tigers at 21.8.

On the other hand, the Padres have only three homegrown players but lead with ten free-agent signings and are tied for first with twelve trade acquisitions. San Diego's trade pickups amassed a significant amount of WAR (25.3) compared to Los Angeles' (16.3).

Below is an analysis of how these teams were constructed heading into the postseason:

**Yankees (50.0 WAR, 2nd among teams)**

Homegrown:7 (19.6 WAR)

- Draft:5 (18.3 WAR)

- International:2 (1.3 WAR)

Free agents:8 (10.7 WAR)

Trades:11 (19.7 WAR)

The Yankees have capitalized on draft picks like Aaron Judge and Anthony Volpe while also making notable trades for Juan Soto and others.

**Guardians (39.1 WAR, 10th among teams)**

Homegrown:15 (25.4 WAR)

- Draft:11 (13.3 WAR)

- International:3 (9.6 WAR)

- NDFA:1 (2.5 WAR)

Free agents:3 (1.6 WAR)

Trades:8 (12.1)

José Ramírez has become a franchise face since being signed from the Dominican Republic in 2019.

**Astros (46.0 WAR, 5th among teams)**

Homegrown:13 (30.8 WAR)

- Draft:9 (16.7 WAR)

- International:4 (14.l)

Free agents:5(3.lWAR}

Trades:.6(11 .OWAR}

Waivers:.2( l.lWAR}

The Astros' success stems largely from developing talent such as Kyle Tucker and Alex Bregman while making key trades for Yordan Alvarez.

**Orioles {40_9WAR,_9thamongteams)**

Homegrown:-9-(24-.S-WARJ

-Draft--=-9-(24.-S-WAR}

-Free-agents:_2-(0-.SWAR}

-Trades:-lO-{IO-.S-WAR}

-Waivers:_4-(2-.4WAR}

Rule_5_:J_{2_.SWARI_

The Orioles benefit from original draftees like Gunnar Henderson while leveraging waivers effectively.

**Royals {45_3_W_AR_,_6t_h_a_m_on_g_t_ea_ms}_**

_Homegr-own~lZ__(24_.B__W_A_R_J

-_D_r_a_ft_:B_(17_.7__W_A_R_)

_-I_nt_er_na_ti_on_al_:_4_(7._l _WA_R_)_

-Free_agents:_G__(_I_O_.JW_AR_)

-T_ra_d_es:_7__(10._AWA-R}

Waiv-e-rs-l{~02 W AR}_

Kansas City's resurgence is fueled by homegrown talents like Bobby Witt Jr., supplemented by shrewd additions such as Cole Ragans.

**Tigers _(34.S_WA_R_,_ll_th_amongteams)_**

_Hom_e_gr_o_w_n:lG_{21_B_WA_R_l_

-_Draft:Jj(l_O_j WA-R)_ _

International:_L(-Q_s W A R)_

_Free_agents:.L{O..JW-A R)__

Tra-des.:..&_(g_,a _WA.R.) Waive-r-s.-.-a_f>...,.Lw_A.RJ_

Tarik Skubal leads Detroit’s charge back into playoff contention with strong performances from Riley Greene and other top prospects.

**Dodgers _(47 .? __ W_A_R.,__ ..::id_among-teams)__**

Hom_e_grow_n:J...(g._!_'v.A R)_ _

_Draft-Jf_{Si.W-A.R}- _

_Int-er_n_at_io-na_l:L(f.S__W_AR)_

_Fre_e_age_nts:-&_U$_Q...W.AR)- __

_T-ra_d-es:l.L_U&,g.__w_AJl,)__

Waiv-e-r-s-l{--()..fi _WAJll__

Los Angeles benefits greatly from free-agent acquisitions such as Shohei Ohtani, alongside impactful trades including Mookie Betts.

**Phillies (_SO.!_W-A-R,_lstam-on-gte-am-s-)_

_Ho_m-eg-ro_w-n:G__(H_LB W A R). _

Draft·_:AJLO_G-w_AJL)__

International-_z_MJ __ w-A-R}.

_Free-agents:_~(_21...fi_W_AJI)..._

_Tr-ad-es~QL(J_y_w A.R)L _ Waiv-e_r-s:l(O.Q___WAJi.)

Philadelphia excels across all acquisition areas, particularly benefiting from free agents Zack Wheeler and Bryce Harper.

Brewers -(34_._&__.WAJL,...12tlLamongteam:s).__ Homegrow n:g_( J_gQ....w.AJL) Draft-Jf_U_S__W.AR)._ Inter-national:_JULIL&_wAJl} Free_age_nts·..;l_{tZ_w.AJi..) Tra_desJJ_(Lg_Q__.w.AJL).. Waive_rs.J(Lil!L.Jlll)

Milwaukee's most impactful acquisitions include William Contreras via trade and Jackson Chourio through international signing.

Mets -(_41_,2....y,A_IL,..Stltamongteams.). Homegrow n.:]_H_L&._waJi.) Dra-ft:,;§...(JJ.a...,y,AJL), Inte.rnational:_z_(j.J___wAJll Free-age nts·_;L U_L&_ w.AJI). Trades..M_Q,_g£ ...y.AR.). Waiye rs:.z.Q,g_y.w AJi.)

New York’s balanced roster features impactful trade acquisition Francisco Lindor alongside breakout draftee Mark Vientos.

Braves -(_44.,t WAJl,...]th_amongteams)._ Hom-egrown : Jj_( z Q__, WA Ji). Dra-ft:,;];(__§_.#.__Y,,AIU Inter-national:.].(!i&_ y,A JL}, Fre.e_age nts-U_UL&____Y,JUl} T_ra_des ·n _(zz,__y,A IL),

Atlanta remains competitive despite losing key players like Ronald Acuña Jr., thanks to Chris Sale leading their traded assets.

Padres -(_47.,.&.__WA_Jl ,_!h_amongteams).- Hom.egrown : z({!,,j & .... Y,l\R}, Dra.ft :,; L (_j .i ..... y,A R}, Internation al:z(g.g_y__,AIU Fre.e_age nts__:tQ.....C~,W AJIL)_ Tr_ad.es_] J(l.f,g.....YA,R.).

San Diego leverages trades effectively, led by Dylan Cease while retaining standout prospect Jackson Merrill.

Sign up to receive our daily Morning Lineup for updates on trending topics around Major League Baseball.