The 2022 regular season has come to an end. Future stars graced the field for the time and legends stepped into onto the field for the last time in 2022. This season has seen its fair share of the birth and rebirth of unlikely stars across MLB.
In this article, let’s look at the top 10 breakout/resurgence MLB stars of 2022
10. Matt Carpenter
Matt Carpenter’s last few seasons in St. Louis were lackluster to say the most as Carpenter hit a mere .203 with 22 home runs and 91 RBI. After the Cardinals let Carpenter go following the 2021 season, he landed with the Texas Rangers on a minor league contract. Carpenter played his way out of a minor league deal with the Rangers and into a deal with the New York Yankees. Through 47 games with the Yankees, Carpenter was on a tear, slashing .305 with 15 home runs and 37 RBI. On August 8, Carpenter took a pitch off his hand fracturing his wrist and ending his regular season, but he is expected to be back for the postseason.
9. Taylor Ward
Prior to the 2022 season, Taylor Ward was inconstent and struggling to stay at the MLB level for an extended period of time. Ward seized the opportunity when his name was put into the hat for a starting outfield spot at the beginning of the 2022 season. Ward went on a tear to start the season, boasting an impressive .347 average with 10 home runs and 26 RBI through 35 games. Wards missed over 20 games over the course of the season due to injury, but still managed to finish with a .281 average as well as 23 home runs, 22 doubles, and 63 RBI.
8. Josh Naylor
Josh Naylor was selected in the first round of the 2015 draft by the Miami Marlins. Naylor was traded to San Diego in 2016 prior to the deadline before being dealt by the Padres to the Guardians in a blockbuster deal. Naylor never found success in the big leagues prior to this season. He was overweight and lacked power, the ability to get on base, and the ability to stay healthy in his young career. Naylor suffered a brutal knee injury that ended his 2021 season short, but 2022 was his path to stardom as he provided iconic moments and out performed all expectations. Naylor hit to the tune of .256 in the regular season while amassing 20 home runs and 79 RBI in his breakout season.