Philly Leader

Every baseball season brings unexpected breakout stars, and 2024 was no exception. This year saw several players emerge from under the radar or exceed previous expectations to make a significant impact in Major League Baseball.

Patrick Bailey of the Giants has established himself as a key player for his team. Known for his defensive skills, Bailey led all players in Statcast’s fielding run value metric and ranked third among catchers with 4.3 WAR according to FanGraphs. "Bailey already has won as many Gold Gloves as Posey," who is now the Giants' president of baseball operations.

Lawrence Butler faced challenges early in the season but made a strong comeback after working on swing adjustments with A's hitting coach Darren Bush. Butler became an essential player for the Athletics, forming a formidable partnership with Brent Rooker.

Kerry Carpenter of the Tigers delivered a breakthrough performance this year, raising his OPS significantly and leading his team despite a midseason injury that impacted their playoff chances.

Jarren Duran of the Red Sox had an outstanding season, leading the Majors in doubles and triples while finishing in the top 10 in WAR. His consistent availability was highlighted by leading in plate appearances this year.

Erick Fedde returned to MLB after refining his skills overseas and became a valuable asset for both the White Sox and Cardinals, potentially positioning himself as a key trade target before free agency.

Hunter Greene finally realized his potential with impressive statistics including a 2.75 ERA and leading NL pitchers in WAR according to Baseball-Reference.

Cristopher Sánchez became an important part of the Phillies' rotation, earning All-Star recognition and securing a contract extension due to his impressive performance throughout the season.

Ezequiel Tovar emerged as an All-Star-quality player for the Rockies at just 22 years old. His defensive prowess earned him a Gold Glove Award while also excelling offensively with 26 homers and leading the NL in doubles.

These players have not only proven themselves but are expected to continue making headlines in future seasons.