Kellen Pies ‘24, Copy Editor
With the 2024-2025 MLB season starting on March 20, fans are looking forward to another electrifying year of America’s favorite pastime. With numerous trades and team changes, the upcoming year of professional baseball is going to be one filled with surprises. Naturally, with the emergence of a new season of professional sports, one cannot pass over the opportunity for predictions, so here are a few that highlight both teams and individual players.
LA Dodgers: With an impressive record of 100-62-0 and a first-place title in the NL West last season, the Dodgers are a strong contender for a World Series victory, especially after signing the ever-talented, previous LA Angels player, Shohei Ohtani. The Dodgers have one of the best rosters in the entire MLB, but this year’s NL West comes with strong competition because of the San Diego Padres, and the rising Arizona Diamondbacks, who fell short in the World Series last season. Regardless of a tough division, the Dodgers are in solid contention for the next World Series title.
Toronto Blue Jays: As a result of recent season performances from the Blue Jays, their record is inclined to get even worse during the 2024 season. Despite their winning records throughout the regular season, the team continuously struggles in the playoffs each year. Although players like Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will certainly give the Blue Jays a fighting chance to win the AL East, the team is unfortunately looking to disappoint their fans this season.
New York Yankees: Arguably the greatest team in the history of American baseball with a very successful history, the ever-supported Yankees have experienced a bit of a rough patch in recent years. In 2023, the Yankees failed to make it to the playoffs, which they have not done since 2016. However, with an 82-80 record last season, the vast majority of the Yankees fan base has high hopes for the team this year. Yankees legend Aaron Judge is yet again a strong contender for MVP, especially with his performance in the 2022 season. It would not be a surprise if the Yankees made a comeback and achieved first in the AL East.
Shohei Ohtani: With the signing of the most expensive deal in MLB history, 700 million over 10 years, Ohtani is an incredible player and an anomaly in the world of baseball due to his impressive skills in both pitching and hitting. With a walks plus hits per inning pitched of 1.06 and an earned run average (ERA) of 3.14 last year, Ohtani is expected to thrive in his first year as a Dodger. When asked about his new team, Ohtani said, “They share the same passion with me, a vision and history about winning.” With a strong roster of players behind him, Ohtani is also a very strong contender for this year’s MVP award.
Adley Rutschman: Statistically, the Orioles catcher is projected to rank fifth among position players in wins above replacement (WAR) with 20 homers. Still a very young player, Rutschman has already had an impressive start to his career in the MLB, and his performance in 2024 is not something to overlook.
The 2023 MLB season is sure to be unique and entertaining, with new signings and long-time struggling teams overcoming past hardships. Be on the lookout for players like Otanhi, and teams like the Yankees and Dodgers. English teacher Mr. Michael Murphy said, “Ohtani is a talent we haven’t seen in baseball in an incredibly long time. . . he’s coming from the Angles, which is also in LA. . . so you’re going to have the additional scrutiny that he is going to have to deal with, it is going to be interesting how he handles that. . . .”
Lyon Life 