Every season they’re a group of players who came into the year with little to no expectations, but quickly make a name for themselves amongst baseball fans. 2024 is no different, with All-Star caliber seasons coming from some unlikely candidates. Here are the top breakout players so far in 2024.
Jurickson Profar, OF Padres - The former #1 prospect in all of baseball has been below league average throughout his decade-long MLB career but is finally producing at an elite level this season. Profar’s career numbers before 2024 have been underwhelming with a slash line of .239,.322,.383, and an OPS+ of 92. Whatever Profar did in the offseason seems to be paying off big time as he currently has a .319 avg, .896 OPS, and an NL-best .413 OBP. He has arguably been the Padres best player this season and is en route to his first-ever All-Star selection.
Seth Lugo, SP Royals - The former reliever turned starter signed with Kansas City this past offseason and was seen as a middle-of-the-rotation arm. Lugo has pitched at a CY Young level this entire season putting up career-best numbers in ERA (2.42), ERA+ 174, and WHIP. According to fan graphs, Lugo has been worth $16.6 million this season, already more than his total contract for 2024 ($15 million). The 34-year-old will be looking to earn his first All-Star selection of his career.
Josh Smith, 3B Rangers - After filling in for 2023 All-Star Josh Jung, Smith has been on his own All-Star campaign in 24. In 73 games Smith has a .303 avg, .478 slug%, and an OPS+ of 149, which is the best number on the Rangers. In what has been an up-and-down season for the defending World Series champs, Smith has been a pleasant surprise in Texas.
Ronel Blanco, SP Astros - The Astros as a whole have been extremely underwhelming this season, but one bright spot has been the incredible rise of Ronel Blanco. After pitching only 58 innings in the big leagues from 22-23, the 30-year-old made the team out of spring training following injuries to other starting pitchers. He went out and threw a no-hitter in his first start of the season, and has been elite from the jump. Currently, with a 2.34 ERA in 84 innings, Blanco has been the best starting pitcher on the Astors this season.
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