We all know about Kris Bryant’s impressive Spring Training that had all of Major League Baseball buzzing. However, there are several other players that also had excellent numbers this spring. Though it may not be an automatic guarantee for regular season success, a younger player’s big Spring Training can potentially mean that they’ve turned the corner and are ready to finally find success in the Major Leagues. Here are 5 players whose big Spring Trainings could spell potential breakout seasons.
Mike Zunino – Seattle Mariners
Zunino has struggled offensively in his first two seasons in the majors. Despite 22 home runs last year, the 24 year old couldn’t even bat above the Mendoza line, hitting .199 in 131 games. This spring, Zunino has shown that the power is still there, blasting 7 home runs all Spring Training, second only to Kris Bryant. He’s also batted an impressive .353, and his incredible 1.353 OPS was second in baseball among qualifying players. If the Mariners want to improve upon last season and take their team to the playoffs and beyond, Zunino continuing his offensive heat and keeping his average up will be an important component.
C.J. Cron – Los Angeles Angels
C.J. Cron made his major league debut for the Angels last year, playing 79 games. In those 79 games the 25 year old righty hit 11 home runs, though his .256 average may have left more to be desired. If Angels fans were hoping for a higher average out of Cron, this spring was sure to have assuaged some of those fears – Cron hit for an outstanding .415 average this spring, slamming 3 home runs for a 1.206 OPS, good for fifth in baseball among all qualifying Spring Training batters. It’d be hard to attribute it entirely to luck, as an MLB.com article attributed much of his spring success to his “driving the ball to the opposite field.” Cron looks to be an integral part of the Angels offense this season.
Marco Gonzales – St. Louis Cardinals
Gonzales made his debut last year with 10 appearances and 5 starts, going 4-2 with a 4.15 ERA and 31 strikeouts in 34 2/3 innings. He also pitched well in his relief outings for the Cardinals in the NLDS against the Dodgers last year. He’s followed up this solid performance with a stellar spring, pitching to a 1.04 ERA in 5 appearances (4 starts), 5th in baseball, with a 3-0 record. Due to the Cardinals’ depth in their starting rotation, Gonzales will start the season in AAA. But he’s presumably their first option to replace someone in the case of an inevitable injury, and if March was any indication, Gonzales is ready to take advantage of the opportunity.
Juan Lagares – New York Mets
Lagares is already known to baseball fans as an elite defensive outfielder; his skills in center have become so widely acknowledged that he won a Gold Glove award last year despite playing in just 116 games. This spring, however, he seems to have worked on his offense in hopes of a breakout. Lagares hit .345 this spring, hitting 3 home runs with a 1.035 OPS. Lagares also seemingly improved his eye at the plate, as evidenced by his .397 OBP compared to his .302 average OBP in his major league career. The Mets front office seems to similarly be impressed by his spring efforts, locking the 26 year old center fielder up with a 4 year extension worth $23 million.
Taijuan Walker – Seattle Mariners
Taijuan Walker impressed in a limited role last year for Seattle, going 2-3 in 8 appearances (5 starts) with a 2.61 ERA, striking out 34 batters in 38 innings. His performance this spring, however, goes beyond impressive. Mariners fans are surely excited by Walker’s blistering Spring Training stats; Walker led all qualifying pitchers this spring with a 0.36 ERA in 6 starts, 24 strikeouts in 25 innings, and an astounding 0.52 WHIP. The Mariners are a trendy pick to dominate the AL this year; if Walker pitches even remotely close to how he pitched this spring as Seattle’s fifth starter, that will go a long way.