The MLB season is just around the corner, and fans are looking forward to what 2023 has in
store. After a year off, baseball is back, and several players are poised to have breakout
seasons. Here are three hitters who could be in for big things this year.
Fans of the game will want to keep an eye on these players as they look to take their game to
the next level. With so much talent on display, it should make for an exciting season of
baseball. Who will emerge as one of the breakout stars of 2023? Stay tuned to find out.
Bryan de la Cruz, OF, Marlins
Bryan de la Cruz caught the attention of many baseball fans when he finished off the last
season with a record-breaking 1.137 OPS in September, the third-best in baseball! Coming off
a promising end to last year and having strategies for further improving his game, de la Cruz is
ready to work hard and make an impact for the Miami Marlins this spring.
The outfielder had a solid showing with his .252 batting average and .294 OBP despite not
having the best numbers in previous years; however, his potential to become an even better
hitter is evident. With renewed optimism and focus, Bryan de la Cruz is on a mission to break
out this season and help lead the Marlins to success!
Nolan Gorman, 2B, Cardinals
Nolan Gorman, second baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals, is a budding superstar and poised
to break out this season. Ranked 33rd on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospects list before last
year, Gorman’s ascent to stardom began in May of 2020 as he recorded three home runs, a
stellar 10 RBIs, and an impressive 1.133 OPS over his first 11 games with the Cardinals.
Last season, Gorman had a remarkable 46.7% sweet-spot rate – making him one of the most
promising young players in baseball today. With his hitting prowess and power-backed
batting ability, Gorman is primed for an explosive 2023 campaign for St. Louis and shows no
sign of slowing down anytime soon!
Seiya Suzuki, OF, Cubs
Seiya Suzuki’s rookie season was a roller coaster of highs and lows, but with the promise of a
strong finish. The Cubs outfielder began his career in April on a tear, showing off his
discerning eye at the plate and smacking pitches with formidable power.
During that month, his chase and barrel rate sat just under 20%, speaking to the impressive
blend of power and control he was deploying. As May rolled around, though, his performance
began to slip as he started chasing more pitches out of the zone and saw his barrel rate drop
to 6.3%. With plenty of practice underneath his belt, however, it all clicked for him towards
the end of August when he put up a .229/.283/.362 slash line – numbers that show he’s more
than capable of launching himself into stardom this season for the Cubs.
Conclusion
With the MLB season quickly approaching, be sure to keep an eye on these three breakout
hitter candidates! Bryan de la Cruz, Nolan Gorman, and Seiya Suzuki are all poised for big
things this year and could provide that extra spark needed to bring their teams success. Who
will become the face of 2023? We’ll just have to wait and see!