Spring training in Florida and Arizona is in full swing and all of baseball is abuzz about a veteran player making an improbable comeback. That man is, of course, Will Ferrell. Maybe Ferrell’s recent “10 teams/10 positions” thing was a charity stunt and TV special, but there are other players looking to bounce back from rough seasons. Here are four players to keep an eye on as the season starts.
Shin-Soo Choo, RF, Rangers
Two things can slow down a player’s progress—signing a lucrative contract and injuries. Choo’s seven-year, $130 million deal could certainly part of the reason he hit 242/.340/.374 (down from .285/.423/.462), but one has to think the ankle and elbow injuries that eventually required surgery were the major factor. Not only did Choo steal just three bases in 2014, he only had seven attempts. That’s down from 31 the year before. If a player who relies on making contact and legging it out can’t do the former, the latter is less of an asset.
Derek Holland, SP, Rangers
Pretty much everyone on the underperforming Rangers from Nolan Ryan to Prince Fielder and everyone in between could stand to bounce back from an abysmal 2014. A prime candidate in need of a bounce back is Derek Holland, a left-hander who at 28 is only two years removed from a 3.44 ERA and 189 Ks over 213 innings. He came back from knee surgery last September and posted a 1.31 ERA in five starts, which is a good sign. Yes, he owns one of the worst mustaches in MLB, but that should not stop him from a much-improved 2015.
Joey Votto, 1B, Reds
A strong 2015 could return Votto to his rightful place on top of the “Best Canadians in MLB” list. The former NL MVP was limited to 62 games last season, thanks to some shaky quads. The quad injury can certainly explain not only the dip in power, but a drop in OPS from .926 to a paltry .799. Assuming he stays healthy, there’s no reason to think this slide is a permanent downward trend.
Matt Harvey, SP, Mets
Mets fans briefly saw Harvey as Dwight Gooden, Ron Darling and David Cone all rolled into one. At this juncture, Mets fans would consider pitching an entire and winning a few games a successful comeback. Harvey was one of the best pitchers in baseball in 2014, with a 2.27 ERA and a 27.7% K rate. But Tommy John reared his ugly head and we haven’t seen him since. It’s unrealistic to expect him to bounce back to 2014 numbers after only a year of rehab, but any sign of life will be enough for a Mets fan base starved for good news.