5 Spring Training Storylines That Will Shape the 2024 MLB Season

How Will the Youngsters Manage?

The youth movement continues to be a big thing to watch in MLB. How many youngsters vying for spots on an opening day roster will ultimately punch their ticket? We'll be eyeing a few names in that department: Jackson Holliday with the Baltimore Orioles and Dylan Crews with the Washington Nationals. Holliday was selected first overall in 2022 by the Orioles and has skyrocketed up their farm system with highly productive play. Crews was drafted second overall by the Nationals in 2023. Even if neither of these big names crack their respective opening-day lineups, the future in MLB is undoubtedly bright and will continue to be something to watch this spring. Holliday is priced with the second-shortest odds to win AL Rookie of the Year at +340.

Will Pairing Juan Soto With Aaron Judge Work?

The New York Yankees went big-name hunting this offseason and acquired the best-position player on the market in Juan Soto. Soto didn't come cheap in a deal with the San Diego Padres, but he has a chance to make an immediate impact alongside slugger Aaron Judge. Although Soto is all but assuredly testing free agent next year, he has the opportunity to put up a monster season with the short porch at Yankee Stadium and elevate his value. Can Soto get the monster contract he's been looking for in free agency? With the contracts we've seen dished out, it wouldn't shock us if he's the next $500 million man. Soto and Judge have the shortest odds to win AL MVP. Judge is the favorite at +550, followed by Soto at +600. 

What's Going on With Free Agency?

It's been a strange year for MLB-free agents. Well-known player agent Scott Boras is a big reason for that. We're set to enter spring training, and the reigning NL Cy Young winner, Blake Snell, remains unsigned. That's not good for baseball. That doesn't factor in stars like Matt Chapman, Cody Bellinger, and Jordan Montogomery, who are also without contracts. How does baseball fix this issue? All four of these players can elevate contending teams. Are they asking for too much money? Regardless, these free agents who have yet to sign contracts remain a major storyline heading into the spring. 

Can Mike Trout Bounce Back and Lead Angels?

After Shohei Ohtani departed for the Los Angeles Dodgers, many have wondered where that leaves Mike Trout with the Los Angeles Angels. Trout is a future first-ballot Hall of Famer but has yet to see playoff action besides a short three-game stint early in his career. How will we define Trout's legacy if he can't help lead the Angels to the playoffs consistently? It's hard to see that altering his legacy in a big way. The Angels' ownership and management deserve much of the blame for the teams they've built around Trout. Will Trout bounce back in 2024 and have a significant statistical year? That's one name we'll have our eyes glued to from the get-go. Trout is listed at +2000 to win AL MVP. 

How Will the Youngsters Manage?

The youth movement continues to be a big thing to watch in MLB. How many youngsters vying for spots on an opening day roster will ultimately punch their ticket? We'll be eyeing a few names in that department: Jackson Holliday with the Baltimore Orioles and Dylan Crews with the Washington Nationals. Holliday was selected first overall in 2022 by the Orioles and has skyrocketed up their farm system with highly productive play. Crews was drafted second overall by the Nationals in 2023. Even if neither of these big names crack their respective opening-day lineups, the future in MLB is undoubtedly bright and will continue to be something to watch this spring. Holliday is priced with the second-shortest odds to win AL Rookie of the Year at +340.