2023 MLB Opening Day: Top 5 young players to watch this season 

After a long winter, spring has sprung, meaning another MLB season is ready to begin as opening day approaches. This exciting time of year brings joy to all baseball fans around the world due to their team having a fresh start and the opportunity to bring home a world series. In 2023 we will see teams take a step forward from last season while some teams will regress. This happens every year as expectations are either exceeded or failed. The same process goes for certain players looking to show their offseason adjustments and continue to develop. Today we’ll list the top five players expected to take their game to the next level in 2023.  

5. 2B, Bryson Stott, Philadelphia Phillies 

Going into his sophomore season in the show, young Phillies second baseman (former shortstop until Trea Turner arrived), Bryson Stott, will look to take his game to new heights after having a decent rookie season batting .241, with ten home runs and forty-nine runs batted in, according to baseball reference.com. The twenty-five-year-old will have plenty of pressure taken off him in the batting order with mammoth bats such as Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, and eventually Bryce Harper once he returns from the injured list, all batting Infront of him.  

The help these veterans will provide Stott with gives him ample opportunity to stack up the stat sheet this 2023 season by driving in RBI’s due to the number of runners that will be on the bases due to bating sixth in the order. Stott’s 2022 campaign showed his patience at the plate, ability to work counts deep, and occasional power with clutch time homeruns to help propel the Phillies to the World Series. Expect Stott’s numbers to grow as Philly only added more depth to their lineup giving greater chances of success to the guys batting later in their batting order. 

4. SP, Triston McKenzie, Cleveland Guardians 

Guardians’ fans were spoiled in 2022 with phenomenal starting pitching from guys such as elite slider specialist, Shane Bieber and young uprising star, Triston McKenzie. The third-year campaign for the towering 6’5 right hander was a solid one as McKenzie registered a 2.96 ERA with 191 strikeouts, 56 more than he had the season before, according to baseball reference.com. That trajectory of improvement only leads to more progression as we head into the 2023 season.  

McKenzie’s postseason performances showed his ability to play under the big lights and proved his willingness to leave everything on the mound. Taking lessons from Bieber in the locker room will only help him as McKenzie will be expected to put up top numbers in the American League in the upcoming season.  

3. SS, Anthony Volpe, New York Yankees 

The highly anticipated major league debut of Anthony Volpe is finally upon us as the promising shortstop prospect has taken the headlines by storm this spring as he showcased all the tools he has at his disposal, such as the wide ranger he can cover in the field, the ability to hit to all fields, and the power to send balls over the fence at a high rate. The combination of these elite abilities has given Volpe a comparison to former Yankee shortstop and Hall of Famer, Derek Jeter, as he continues to excite Yankee fans throughout his progression to the big leagues.  

Many expected Volpe to be called up at some point this season yet his tremendous play in spring training left Yankees Manager, Aaron Boone, no other choice but to call the young man up to join the big leagues roster. It will be extremely interesting to see how the young phenom comes into his own this season and how he handles the pressure of playing in the Bronx, which we all know just isn’t for everyone.  

2. SS, Oneil Cruz, Pittsburgh Pirates 

After an eye-opening rookie campaign in 2022, cannon-armed shortstop, Oneil Cruz, expects to take a huge leap from last year’s results. Although Cruz impressed the league with his incredible power at the plate and immensely strong arm at shortstop, he still struggled to stay consistent with his bat putting up a .233 batting average in over three hundred plate appearances, according to baseball reference.com.  

This lack of consistency can be an easy fix for Cruz with the right training and developing patience in the box. Cruz’s undeniable athleticism at a staggering height of 6’7, makes his fielding ability that more impressive. A key for Cruz to step into stardom many expect him to take on will come with his improvement of consistency at the plate. Cruz looks ready to go after showing promising improvements during spring training as he slugged two homers with a .250 batting average in fifty-two plate appearances. 

1. CF, Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners 

There are just some players that come up into the majors that make everything seem so easy with such little experience. One of these players is Julio Rodriguez. In 2022, Rodriguez led the Mariners to their first playoff appearance since 2002 breaking the longest postseason drought in the MLB, along with casually securing the American Leage rookie of the year award. Rodriguez’s intimidating plate presence is rare for such a young and inexperienced player. You can see when he comes up to bat the type of focus and determination, he has to find his pitch.  

While racking up twenty-eight homers, along with posting a .284 batting average, that was only the beginning for the young stud along with putting on a show at last season’s home run derby and starting in the all-star game all at the age of twenty-one. The remarkable path Rodriguez is on will be a must watch this season as he looks to build his legacy and continue giving Mariners’ fans something to be proud of.  

This year’s MLB season is shaping up to be another thrilling and unexpected whirlwind of events. As you watch your favorite team play, be sure to take time to appreciate the other phenomenal young players making their way up in this league because they will take your breath away. Be sure to visit spotlifeasia.com for updates on your favorite MLB teams, players and more!