This years Major League Baseball season is, as many may say, non-existent. The MLBPA and the owners were unable to come to a joint agreement on when and how the season will return. The most possible result will be the season returning next March in Spring Training (yikes).
Whenever the season returns, the future of baseball is filled with up-rising talent. Here are five stars of the game who will dominate for years to come.
Bo Bichette – Son of great Dante Bichette, Bo is destin to accomplish great feats in the big leagues. With his rookie year out of the way, fans can expect a break-out season sooner than later for the contact driven hitter. The athletic shortstop hit .286 along with 87 hits in just a slim 72 games last season. The 6-foot shortstop is a defensive catalyst and willing to put his body on the line in any play.
The Blue Jays young core in Bichette, Vlad Jr., Cavan Biggio and recently drafted utility man Austin Martin will be a scary sight for opposing teams. No question, Bichette and co. will make some noise in Toronto.
John Means – The Baltimore Orioles ace is often left off the list when fans talk about dominant starting pitchers. Means, 27, is coming off a strong year with the O’s. The only poor statistic Means featured last season is his Win/Loss record which is simply due to the lack of strong talent on the Orioles staff. Through 31 games, the right hander tossed a 3.60 ERA sided by 121 strikeouts in 155 Innings. To add on, Means placed as the runner-up in Rookie of the Year voting for the American League.
Besides from being a runner-up, Means was voted as an All-Star last season. Safe to say, the young electric Baltimore ace has a sky full of potential. If Means can keep up this sensational production, he can be a franchise ace for a very long time.
Eloy Jimenez – The White Sox have built their future roster around young, electric players including the uprising Eloy Jimenez. Jimenez, who was extended to a 6 yrs / $43 million dollar contract is locked up until 2025. The versatile left fielder made his debut last season and ultimately placed 4th in the American League Rookie of the Year voting.
The Dominican Republic native brings a strong, power bat and a strong arm to the White Sox. In just 122 games, Jimenez hit a slightly under .300 and clobbered 31 home runs along with 125 hits. The top-5 voted Rookie of the Year in the American League still has a lot to prove, but brings a plethora of talent to the south side of Chicago.
Mike Soroka – The lights out right hander Mike Soroka, surely will be a cornerstone piece in the Braves future. The National league Rookie of the Year runner-up tossed an outstanding 13-4 record along with 2.68 ERA. Besides runner-up in the Rookie of the Year race, Soroka went on to accomplish greater feats in his inaugural year in the major leagues.
Soroka was named an National League All-Star leat season. Striking out 121 batters in 155 Innings, the Canadian native place 6th in the National League CY Young voting. All in all, Soroka has proved his can accomplish great feats in the big league and is never going to be a pleasant sight for opposing hitters
Sandy Alcantara – Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcanatra, comes as a question to many fans whether he will be a consistent and effective starter in years to come. Through my eyes, the potential certainly there for the Dominican Republic native. In only his third year in the big leagues, Alcantara proved that he can be a productive starter in the Miami rotation.
Leading the major leagues in shoutouts, Alcantara’s live arm tossed a tick under 200 Innings in 32 starts. Not only did the Miami ace lead the league in shoutouts, he led the National League in complete games, with two. If Alcantara can keep his consistency to a maximum, no doubt he will be a perennial ace for years to come.
Photo: The Athletic
