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MLB: The Top 10 breakout/resurgence stars of the 2022 season

By Bobby Shell

Sep 6, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Cleveland Guardians second baseman Andres Gimenez (0) bats against the Kansas City Royals during the second inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 6, 2022; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Cleveland Guardians second baseman Andres Gimenez (0) bats against the Kansas City Royals during the second inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 19, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Kyle Wright (30) throws against the Washington Nationals in the third inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 19, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Kyle Wright (30) throws against the Washington Nationals in the third inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /

7. Kyle Wright

Kyle Wright made his MLB debut in 2018 for the Atlanta Braves. Between 2018-2021, Wright bounced between the minors and majors recording 70 innings in major league experience. Prior to 2022, Wright failed to stay in the majors for a full season. In 2021, he lost his rotation spot to Bryse Wilson. Wright was given the role of fifth starter before the beginning of the 2022 campaign, and what came next shocked the league.

In 2022, Wright won a league-best 21 games while boasting a career best in ERA, innings, strikeouts, and WHIP. Wright posted a 3.19 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 174 strikeouts over 180.1 innings of work. Wright’s 2022 season breakout season has cemented his spot in Atlanta’s rotation, as well as a top starter in MLB.

6. Dylan Cease

Before the 2022 season, Dylan Cease had started in 58 games dating back to 2019. In those games, Cease pitched 297 innings while pitching to the tune of a 4.39 ERA. Coming into 2022, Cease was entering his fourth season in the majors at the age of 26. Cease took a giant leap in his progression during the 2022 season, going from a 4-5 starter in the rotation at best to a bonafide ace of the rotation.

The first half of the season, Cease boasted a 9-4 record as well as an impressive 2.15 ERA. Despite a dominant first half of the season, Cease was snubbed from the All-Star game. Cease’s second half was arguably better than his first half as he was lights out. After the All-Star game, Cease had a 2.27 ERA in 13 starts. The dominance that Cease has possessed during the 2022 season was on full display when he took a no-hitter into the bottom of the ninth inning against the Twins in early September. He went on to finish the game, allowing one hit. In 2022, we saw the transformation of Cease from mediocrity to stardom with his breakout season.

5. Alejandro Kirk

At 5-foot-8 and 285 pounds, Alejandro Kirk is not your prototypical catcher. Appearances can be deceiving … and no one is a better example of this than Kirk. In September 2020, Kirk was called up from Triple-A, a move that was a surprise to most. In 2021, he made the Opening Day roster as the Toronto’s backup catcher getting limited playing time behind Danny Jansen.

After starting off sluggish in 2022, Kirk caught fire between May and July, batting .325 with 12 home runs and 38 RBI. Kirk’s numbers were enough to get him voted the starting catcher for the American League in the All-Star Game. The impressive season by Kirk was surprising to say the least as he finished the season batting .285 with 14 home runs and 63 RBI. At 23, it’s safe to say that he will be a top catcher in the game for years to come.

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