Ranking MLB's 10 Breakout Seasons of 2014
Every year in Major League Baseball we are introduced to new stars who burst onto the scene with outstanding individual seasons.
2014 was no different.
Breakout stars can come in a variety of different ways.
They could be rookies like Jose Abreu and Jacob deGrom, providing jolts of excitement for their respective clubs.
They might be relatively unknown minor league prospects like Josh Harrison, Corey Kluber and Tyson Ross, who take advantage of their shot in the major leagues.
Perhaps they are former top prospects, such as Anthony Rendon and Dee Gordon, finally living up to their projected potential.
Breakout stars could also describe veteran players like Jonathan Lucroy and Jose Altuve, who make the leap from good to great with career years.
Despite differences in their career arcs, these 10 players all have a few things in common.
- All are young, promising talents who are important for the future of their respective teams.
- All have produced career years in 2014.
- All have been pleasant surprises, exceeding expectations of baseball pundits and experts.
Regardless of their classification, the following breakout stars have been vital for their respective clubs.
Honorable Mentions
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There were plenty of breakout stars to choose from in 2014. Here are a few players who just missed the cut.
Tanner Roark, Washington Nationals
In a team filled with elite pitching talent, Tanner Roark found a way to stick out in 2014. Roark posted a 14-10 record with a 2.85 ERA. He also produced 20 quality starts and actually led the vaunted Nationals staff in WAR. Not bad for a fifth starter.
Marcell Ozuna, Miami Marlins
Giancarlo Stanton received many of the headlines in Miami and deservedly so, but Marcell Ozuna deserves some recognition for his 2014 season. Ozuna's 23 home runs and 85 RBI lead all National League center fielders.
Devin Mesoraco, Cincinnati Reds
Devin Mesoraco has been a pleasant surprise for the Reds this season. His 23 home runs lead all MLB catchers, while his 74 RBI rank second only behind Buster Posey. Mesoraco's season was one of the few bright spots for a disappointing Reds team in 2014.
No. 10: Zach Britton, Baltimore Orioles
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The Baltimore Orioles entered the season with an uncertain situation at closer.
Jim Johnson had been traded away after anchoring the O's bullpen with consecutive 50-save seasons, leaving the duties to Tommy Hunter.
Hunter was unable to replicate Johnson's success, losing the closing duties in May after a blown save and a groin injury.
Enter Zach Britton.
The hard-throwing southpaw has solidified the back end of the bullpen for manager Buck Showalter, recording 35 saves in 39 attempts.
Britton has redefined his career after three subpar seasons as a starter for the O's, where he posted close to a 5.00 ERA. However since his move to the bullpen in 2014, his ERA has reduced dramatically to a 1.74 mark. Britton has been exceptionally tough on lefties, rendering opposing lefties to a .163 batting average and zero home runs.
Britton's ability to take control of the closing duties for the Orioles was critical to the O's AL East championship. After years of difficulties as a starter, Zach Britton has found his home as the O's closer.
No. 9: Tyson Ross, San Diego Padres
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Tyson Ross was first given a chance as a full-time starter with the Oakland Athletics in 2012.
It didn't go so well.
In 13 starts, Ross finished with 11 losses and a 6.50 ERA. Ross was traded to the San Diego Padres before the 2013 season with his career in limbo.
Ross entered his way into the starting rotation last year, and his performances were enough to land him another full-time opportunity in the Padres' rotation entering 2014.
Ross didn't let his second chance go to waste.
The 6'6" hurler set career highs in wins, innings pitched, ERA, WHIP and strikeouts in 2014, leading the Padres in all of those categories.
The key to Ross' rejuvenation has been the increased use of his slider. Baseball America voted Ross' slider as the best slider in the A's organization in 2010 and 2011. In 2014, Ross has thrown his slider more than any other pitch, holding opponents to just a .210 batting average.
Ross was able to turn around a disastrous start with the A's to become the ace of the San Diego Padres pitching staff. The 27-year-old was selected to his first All-Star Game in 2014, and many more should be in his future.
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No. 8: Jacob deGrom, New York Mets
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The New York Mets continue to introduce the MLB to elite, young starting pitching, with Jacob deGrom being the latest to showcase his talents in the Big Apple.
The Mets' right-hander has made a strong case for NL Rookie of the Year with impressive performances down the stretch.
In 21 starts, deGrom has posted a 2.68 ERA while averaging almost nine strikeouts per nine innings. On September 15, deGrom struck out the first eight Miami Marlins hitters he faced, tying a major league record. He finished the game with 13 strikeouts.
DeGrom's success can be attributed to hitters only batting .182 against his fastball. This has allowed deGrom to get ahead early in the count and dictate the rest of the at-bat.
After a season-ending injury to ace Matt Harvey, deGrom was able to give the Mets faithful something to cheer about. DeGrom, Harvey, Zack Wheeler and Noah Syndergaard look to be a formidable young starting rotation for many years to come.
No. 7: Dee Gordon, Los Angeles Dodgers
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After two forgettable years in Dodger blue, Dee Gordon has been a nightmare for opposing starting pitchers this season.
Gordon was a former top prospect for the Los Angeles Dodgers but had yet to fulfill his potential as a premier leadoff hitter in baseball. He needed to win the second base job in spring training in what was really a make-or-break year for the young middle infielder.
He won the job in the spring, giving the Dodgers an extra dimension to their lineup.
Gordon's blistering speed at the top of the Dodgers' lineup has been a perfect fit for a middle of the order built to drive in runs.
"Flash" is in the top 10 in the NL in hits and runs while leading the entire MLB with a whopping 62 stolen bases. Gordon also leads the majors with 12 triples.
Gordon has improved mightily at the plate in 2014. He is hitting lefties at a .287 mark, while hitting over .300 with runners in scoring position.
The speedy infielder's most telling stat is his commitment to hitting the ball on the ground. At over a 60 percent rate, Gordon is finally playing to his strengths, leading to a breakout year.
No. 6: Corey Kluber, Cleveland Indians
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Corey Kluber produced a solid season in 2013, winning 11 games and posting an under 4.00 ERA.
But his 2014 season has put him on the map as one of the best pitchers in the American League.
Although Felix Hernandez will likely win the AL Cy Young, Kluber has built an impressive case of his own.
The big right-hander has gone 16-9 with a 2.54 ERA in 2014, while averaging 10 strikeouts per nine innings. He is in the top five in the American League in wins, innings pitched, strikeouts, ERA and complete games. After a tremendous second half, Kluber ranks only behind Mike Trout and Clayton Kershaw in FanGraphs' WAR.
The Cleveland Indians ace has always been a hard-throwing sinker/slider pitcher, inducing many ground-ball outs to go along with his tremendous strikeout record. Yet Kluber's best pitch this year has been his curveball, allowing opposing hitters just a .094 average. And 110 of his 244 strikeouts have come due to his devastating curveball.
Kluber used 2014 to go from a serviceable middle-of-the-rotation starter to the ace of the Indians' staff. Expect big things going forward from this strikeout machine.
No. 5: Anthony Rendon, Washington Nationals
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At 24, Anthony Rendon may be the brightest spot on an extremely talented Washington Nationals' roster.
The former Rice standout has always been highly regarded within the Nationals' organization, ranking as its No. 1 prospect before the 2012 season. Rendon showed flashes when called up in 2013 yet never really looked comfortable as a rookie.
2014 has been a completely different story.
Rendon has developed into the Nationals' most consistent player. His .285 average, 20 home runs, 80 RBI and 15 stolen bases prove that the Nationals' infielder can do it all on the baseball diamond. His 108 runs top the National League, making him a key cog in the Washington lineup.
Most baseball pundits expected Rendon to become a talented MLB player, but few predicted him to be the most valuable player on the Nationals' roster in 2014. Yet his 5.9 WAR ranks him in the top 10 in all of baseball.
His breakout season has given the NL East Champion Nationals a formidable table-setter capable of driving in runs himself.
No. 4: Jonathan Lucroy, Milwaukee Brewers
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Catchers who can produce both offensively and defensively are hard to come by.
Milwaukee's Jonathan Lucroy may be the most complete catcher in baseball.
Catching is obviously a premium position due to the beating one takes throughout the season. Lucroy's .303 batting average, 67 RBI and .848 OPS are even more impressive considering the amount of punishment he takes game in and game out.
Lucroy's 51 doubles are the highest total by a catcher in MLB history. His walk-to-strikeout ratio is the best in the National League.
He also makes a huge difference behind the plate.
According to Baseball Prospectus, Lucroy has added 174 extra strikes for the Brewers' staff this season due to his pitch-framing ability. This total is 30 strikes more than the next-best catcher, Mike Zunino. When it comes to pitch-framing, Lucroy has no equal, making him that much more valuable to the Brew Crew.
Lucroy's production at the plate and behind the dish have made him a viable MVP candidate and a breakout star for the Brewers in 2014.
No. 3: Josh Harrison, Pittsburgh Pirates
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Josh Harrison had relatively little hype about him before the 2014 season.
The former sixth-round pick was never regarded as one of the top players in his organization, making his breakout 2014 that much more incredible.
Andrew McCutchen is the Pittsburgh Pirates' most important player, but the Pirates would be nowhere without Harrison. His .318 average may win him a batting title, while his .857 OPS ranks sixth in the National League.
Harrison has also played in a variety of different positions for the Pirates this season, getting game time at second base, shortstop, third base, right field and left field. In a season where McCutchen has missed time due to injury, Harrison has provided continuity to the Pirates' lineup.
Harrison has forced himself into the MVP discussion in the NL, combining great defense, productive offense and unmatched versatility. A 2014 NL All-Star, Harrison has played a large part in the Pirates' playoff march.
His rise from a career .250 hitting utility man to MVP candidate is the definition of a breakout season.
No. 2: Jose Altuve, Houston Astros
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Jose Altuve has been one of the better players in baseball over the last few seasons.
Unfortunately the casual fan may not fully appreciate Altuve's achievements due to the fact he plays for the cellar-dwelling Houston Astros.
But even the most casual fans are becoming aware of Altuve's talents because of his remarkable 2014 season.
His .344 batting average and 213 hits lead all of baseball, while his 53 stolen bases are tops in the American League. Altuve also broke Craig Biggio's Astros' franchise record for hits in 2014.
Altuve has accomplished all of this despite being only 5'5". What the second baseman lacks in power he makes up for with contact, speed and plate discipline. His .836 OPS with only seven home runs is a testament to his ability to get on base at a high clip.
Unlike some of the other players on this list, Altuve has been one of the top players in the MLB before this season. However, he has proved that his production is not a fluke, making a huge leap in many offensive categories.
At 24, the sky is the limit for Jose Altuve.
No. 1: Jose Abreu, Chicago White Sox
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Jose Abreu's monster 2014 makes him the No. 1 breakout star of the 2014 MLB season.
Abreu is a monster of a man (6'3", 255 lbs). His prodigious power had been well-chronicled during his career in Cuba, but after defecting in 2013, it was unknown if he could produce against major league pitching.
Boy did he ever.
Abreu hit .319 with 35 home runs and 103 RBI in his rookie season. He ranks in the top six in the AL in batting average, home runs, RBI, slugging percentage and OPS.
Similarly to fellow Cuban Yasiel Puig in 2013, Abreu was an unknown commodity coming into 2014. The 27-year-old first baseman handled the move in a mature manner, going about his business while crushing the baseball.
Rookies often hit a wall during their inaugural season as pitchers begin to make adjustments. Although Abreu's power numbers dipped slightly, his batting average increased to a .361 mark in the second half. Abreu produced all season long.
In his rookie year, Abreu set the bar high for the rest of his career. The White Sox have not had a star since Frank Thomas, but Jose Abreu looks the part after the No. 1 breakout performance of 2014.
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