Finding the next breakout star of the MLB postseason
Who will be this year’s Randy Arozarena?
In 2020, Arozarena went into the playoffs as a bit of a rising star, but the MLB majority of the sporting world was unaware of the talented prospect. Then Randy took off, hitting 10 home runs during the playoffs, and was a part of one of the most memorable plays in recent World Series history, rumbling and stumbling his way to the game winning run in Game 4.
Each year the playoffs are an opportunity for a player to rewrite his place in history, to reach the summit of baseball stardom. These are not necessarily each team’s best player (Vlad is not on the list), but the player who could take the opportunity to jump from star to superstar. Who will it be this year?
American League
Joey Gallo – New York Yankees
Gallo has yet to see the postseason in his career, so perhaps no one on this list could benefit more from the playoff spotlight. Gallo has always had power, but his average hasn’t been there over the course of his career. This could be his chance though to stamp his status in MLB as a clutch hitter if he can get some key home runs for the Bronx Bombers.
Bobby Dalbec – Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox first baseman would get to experience his first postseason this year, and Sox fans would love to see what he can do. Dalbec started the season slow, but has picked up his play recently. His bat in the middle of the Red Sox lineup, even if splitting time with Kyle Schwarber, will play a key role in the October hopes of Boston.
Wander Franco – Tampa Bay Rays
Franco is the biggest phenom in the majors right now, so he may not truly qualify for this list. However, playing in Tampa Bay, he does not get the coverage he would otherwise, so the playoffs will be a chance for him to be front and center for the national press.
Marcus Semien – Toronto Blue Jays
Semien has spent most of his career in front of the small crowds in Oakland, so despite his talent, he is not as well-known as many other second basemen in the league. Semien has had some postseason success in his career, posting a .371 batting average, but his A’s teams haven’t performed. The Blue Jays lineup this year is stacked, so if they can grab one of the two wild card spots, he could become more of a household name.
Luis Robert – Chicago White Sox
Robert has been talked about in Chicago for a number of years now, since the Sox signed him in 2017. But he looks primed to be a breakout star this postseason, if the White Sox can make a run to the World Series. Robert missed some time in 2021 due to a torn hip flexor, so his season stats don’t rank highly, but anyone who has seen him play knows he is explosive.
Yordan Alvarez – Houston Astros
The former Rookie of the Year is having another stellar season, with 30+ home runs and 100+ RBI. If the Astros go far in the MLB playoffs, they’ll need to rely on their cleanup hitter quite a bit. Alvarez has flown a little under the radar since winning the ROY, due to him having missed most of the 2020 season and with the Astros mired in controversy. He only has a year of postseason experience, hitting a home run in the World Series in 2019, but if he has a power surge in October, he’ll put his name on the map across the country.
Mitch Haniger – Seattle Mariners
After suffering a terrible injury in 2019, Haniger is a wonderful comeback story. The outfielder is having his best year yet, with 38 home runs to date and over 100 runs scored. But, the Mariners haven’t made the playoffs since 2001, so the attention he gets is minimal throughout the country. If the M’s can make it back this year, Haniger will be front and center.
National League
Max Fried – Atlanta Braves
Fried has been to the playoffs before, but has yet to rack up his first win. For the Braves to succeed in the postseason, they’ll rely heavily on Fried’s arm. Will he be the postseason ace or a solid number 2 starter? Time will tell.
Corbin Burnes – Milwaukee Brewers
Burnes currently leads the league in SO/9, following up a strong 2020 short-season showing. He has the stuff to put together a postseason display ala Madison Bumgarner with the Giants, and could help bring home the Brewers’ first World Series title.
Paul Goldschmidt – St. Louis Cardinals
Goldschmidt toiled in anonymity in Arizona for the better part of his career, but his star is more solidified now that he plays in St. Louis. He has had some MLB postseason success, posting eight home runs in 20 games. With the Cardinals hot at the end of the season, Goldschmidt has a chance to carry them in the playoffs and take his star to legendary status.
Trea Turner – Los Angeles Dodgers
Turner has already played in the postseason in three different years, but hasn’t taken over like Mookie Betts. But now, in a new jersey for the first time in his career, he could become a megastar. His speed and glove will be needed by the Dodgers.
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Mike Yastrzemski – San Francisco Giants
Yaz had a big year in 2020, finishing 8th in the NL MVP voting, but hasn’t followed with quite as stellar of a 2021. With the Giants in good shape to get the top spot in the NL, he could redeem himself a bit by having a breakout postseason. The media would certainly love it if the grandson of a hall of famer was the story of the MLB playoffs.