by Jasper Abrahams (Photo Credit: Kim Klement)
After a long and tedious three months of back-and-forth discussions between the Players Association and Major League Baseball (team owners), the two sides have come to an agreement on when and how baseball return.
The stage is set.
The fine details of the shortened 60-game season will begin with players reporting to team facilites on July 1st. Players will have less than a month to prepare and to get the rust off before the games. Scheduled and televised games will (finally) kick off July 23rd and 24th.
All players will be given the option of opting-out of the 60 game season if they don’t feel comfortable playing under the circumstances.
With games kicking off July 23rd and 24th, here are ten players that all baseball fans should be excited to watch this season.
10 – Fernando Tatis Jr., SS, San Diego Padres
The young sensation, Fernando Tatis Jr., always puts on a show for fans at the ballpark. The San Diego Padres franchise shortstop has been given the green light to play in the 2020 season following a season ending lower back injury. Only playing in 84 games in the 2019 season, Tatis Jr placed third in the National League Rookie of the Year voting. No question the human highlight reel Tatis will be a sight to watch in the upcoming season.
9 – Shohei Ohtani, SP/DH, Los Angeles Angels
The only two-way player in the Major League, besides Rays’ Brendan McKay, is in elite company. The Angels ace and designated hitter has faced two season ending injuries. Having healed from Tommy John surgery in his right arm and a torn patella in his left knee, reports were that Othani is fully healed for the 2020 season. If the 2018 American League Rookie of the Year can stay consistent and pick up where he left off, he’ll be a perennial threat for all opposing teams.
8- Gleyber Torres, SS, New York Yankees
The future face of the New York Yankees, many projected the energetic Gleyber Torres to have an MVP caliber season in 2020. With 40 of the 60 games being played versus the in-division AL East, Torres will have very little trouble at the plate as he constantly dominates within the division. The rising shortstop has shown he can battle and walk all over any pitcher.
7 – Juan Soto, OF, Washington Nationals
The passionate and aggressive Juan Soto is coming off a cloud 9 season after a World Series championship with the Washington Nationals. The second year veteran brings his winning mentality and advanced approach in the batters box as he is know for the “Soto Shuffle” in projection to intimidate pitchers. Slugging above .500 last season, Soto is set up to have another MVP type season. And the National League likely has to deal with him for a long time being that he is just 21.
6 – Cody Bellinger, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
The reining National League MVP, Cody Bellinger, is looking to repeat that title in 2020. Leading the National League in total bases with 351, the heart and soul of the Dodgers is a threat to all pitchers. The fourth round pick has proven he is men amongst boys in the big leagues. In 2019, Bellinger’s slash line ranked atop of the league with his electrifying .305 Batting Average. Safe to say, Cody Bellinger will do damage to pitchers this upcoming season.
5 – Ronald Acuña Jr., OF, Atlanta Braves
Voted as an All-Star and top-5 in National League MVP voting last season, Ronald Acuña Jr. will surely be a sight to watch in 2020. The Braves franchise outfielder brings passion and color to every game, backing his Venezuelan roots. Leading the National League in runs with 127 and stolen bases with 37, Acuña will look to repeat his excellence in this years shortened season. The generational bat is a big spark in the Braves lineup and don’t be surprised if he comes home with an MVP (and even a World Series title) in hand.
4 – Christian Yelich, OF, Milwaukee Brewers
Winning and placing second in back-to-back National League MVP voting races, Christian Yelich is looking to three-peat in that category this season. The contact catalyst sat a top of the National League in Batting Average, which was upwards of .300. The face of the Brewers also led all of baseball in Slugging Percentage and OPS, with newsworthy numbers. Safe to say, the two-time All-Star will be a name to watch this season.
3 – Mike Trout, OF, Los Angeles Angels
The greatest player of this era is currently in his prime. The 28-year-old comes into the 2020 season with 6 straight All-Star game appearance, 3 MVP’s and 7 Silver Slugger awards! The Millvile, New Jersey native, has already compiled 72.8 career WAR – the average Hall of Fame position player has 69. With recent acquisition of slugger Anthony Rendon, this adds more depth to a middle-of-the-pack Angels lineup. Mike Trout is a treasure that baseball fans get to enjoy for another decade.
2 – Mookie Betts, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers
Recently traded to Los Angeles, Mookie Betts will look to continue his Hall of Fame trajectory across the country. The former MVP will join elite company with Cody Bellinger and Justin Turner in the Dodgers outfield. Voted as an All-Star and given the awards of Gold Glove and Silver Slugger, Betts will look to make a strong run for MVP this season against teammate Cody Bellinger and Christian Yelich.
1 – Gerrit Cole, RHP, New York Yankees
Recently signing a record contract of 13 years, $324 million dollars, Gerrit Cole is ready to prove he’s worth this unheard of contract. If nothing else, it will be compelling to watch him attempt to. Leading all of baseball in strikeouts with 326, the former Houston Astro is ready to take his elite weaponry to the Bronx under Manager Aaron Boone. The lethal right hander led the American League in ERA with 2.50. There is zero question that the generational arm in Gerrit Cole will be a sight to see in 2020.
