Rising Stars: Unlikely Rookies Dominate the Mound in 2024

Simeon Woods Richardson – Minnesota Twins

2024 Stats: 15 GS, 77.2 IP, 3.48 ERA, 3.86 FIP, 1.2 fWAR

Simeon Woods Richardson's journey in baseball could easily fill an article.

Drafted by the Mets in 2019, SWR has already been a key player in two significant trades. He moved to the Blue Jays in exchange for Marcus Stroman and later to Minnesota in a deal for José Berríos.

Amidst this whirlwind of trades, it seemed doubtful that SWR would stabilize and fulfill his potential as a top prospect. However, some adjustments to his mechanics seem to have rejuvenated his career.

The young right-hander has become a steady presence in the Twins’ starting rotation, delivering reliable performances since the season's start.

While Woods Richardson may not have the flashy arsenal that captivates many fans, his skillful execution of pitches has contributed significantly to his success this year.

After much movement, it appears that Woods Richardson has truly found his place with the Twins, where he looks set to remain for the foreseeable future.

https://twitter.com/HagemanParker/status/1799869143337882092?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

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Gavin Stone – Los Angeles Dodgers

2024 Stats: 16 GS, 92.0 IP, 3.03 ERA, 3.52 FIP, 7.0% HR/FB

The Dodgers have faced a challenging season with critical injuries, particularly within their pitching staff.

They are currently navigating Shohei Ohtani's recovery from a torn UCL and managing setbacks for Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Walker Buehler. With Clayton Kershaw yet to make his 2024 season debut, the team has heavily depended on emerging talents.

Gavin Stone, who joined the opening-day rotation, has become a reliable contributor. His swift rise through the minor leagues fueled hopes among Dodgers fans that he could deliver precisely what he has: timely and vital performances. His emergence has proven crucial, especially given the circumstances this season.

https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1806149202130391074?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Mitchell Parker – Washington Nationals

2024 Stats: 15 GS, 84.2 IP, 3.61 ERA, 3.93 FIP, 1.2 fWAR

The Nationals have seen a host of unexpected positives this season.

Though the Nationals are still in contention for an NL Wild Card spot, the real highlight has been the emergence of several unlikely heroes throughout their lineup. One standout has been Mitchell Parker, the young left-hander. While the Nationals' management might claim they anticipated Parker's impact this year, his performance has likely exceeded their expectations. A product of the Nationals' farm system, Parker was selected in the fifth round of the 2020 draft and has become a testament to the organization's development success.

Parker's effectiveness this season can largely be attributed to his commanding fastball and his skillful use of offspeed pitches to complement it.

As the Nationals aim to construct a winning team, Parker is proving to be a critical component of their future plans.

https://twitter.com/masnNationals/status/1802474223916466285?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Ben Brown – Chicago Cubs

2024 Stats: 15 G, 8 GS, 55.1 IP, 3.58 ERA, 3.12 FIP, 10.4 K/9

The 2024 season has been a mixed bag for Ben Brown.

Touted as one of the top right-handed pitching prospects, Cubs fans eagerly awaited Ben Brown's entry into the majors, and his initial performances did not disappoint. He demonstrated his potential with an impressive strikeout-to-walk ratio, showcasing the skills that made him a highly-regarded prospect.

However, Brown's momentum was halted in mid-June due to a stress reaction in his neck, which has kept him out for roughly three weeks. Manager Craig Counsell mentioned that the Cubs are still uncertain about the timeline for his return.

Despite this setback, Brown has displayed the qualities needed to potentially lead the Cubs' rotation in the future. Unfortunately, his potential has been somewhat overshadowed this season due to his injury.

https://twitter.com/MLB/status/1795648949799584175?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Bryan Hudson – Milwaukee Brewers

2024 Stats: 32 G, 46.2 IP, 1.54 ERA, 3.51 FIP, 10.03 K/9

Bryan Hudson's rise to prominence in 2024 has been spectacular for both the Brewers and the wider baseball community.

Acquired from the Dodgers in what seemed like a minor trade, Hudson has exceeded any and all expectations set for him. He has become the standout pitcher in the Brewers' bullpen and arguably the top relief pitcher in the entire league.

Surprisingly, many baseball enthusiasts might not have been familiar with Hudson before this year.

As the Brewers anticipate the return of All-Star closer Devin Williams, Hudson is excelling, leading the league in strand rate and playing a pivotal role in keeping the Brewers at the top of the NL Central standings. This 27-year-old left-hander has become an indispensable asset to the team.

https://twitter.com/MikeVassallo13/status/1809307929172156577?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Cade Smith – Cleveland Guardians

2024 Stats: 40 G, 39.2 IP, 2.50 ERA, 1.66 FIP, 12.03 K/9

It may not be a shock to many, but the Cleveland Guardians have a knack for developing effective pitchers, and Cade Smith is their latest triumph.

Ranked in the lower twenties on most of the Guardians' prospect lists at the start of the season, Smith made his mark in Cleveland's bullpen this year, setting the stage for Emmanuel Clase's ninth-inning heroics.

Although he relies on his fastball more heavily than some might consider sustainable for long-term success, the pitch has been effective.

https://twitter.com/TJStats/status/1796179968730230961?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Jose Butto – New York Mets

2024 Stats: 9 G, 7 GS, 41.2 IP, 2.81 ERA, 4.18 FIP, .202 BABIP

José Buttó has experienced a year of fluctuating fortunes.

This refers to his frequent transitions between the major leagues and Triple-A. Despite performing well each time he's been called up, Buttó has been subject to numerous optional assignments, which is somewhat unexpected given his solid outings.

The Mets’ season has similarly been a rollercoaster. With NL MVP front-runner Grimace energizing the team, Buttó's rise as a critical component in a struggling rotation has been a significant highlight for the Metropolitans.

Despite being moved back and forth between the bullpen and the starting rotation, Buttó has consistently succeeded, adapting and excelling in every role the Mets have given him.

https://twitter.com/SNYtv/status/1808307105306198173?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Matt Waldron – San Diego Padres

2024 Stats: 18 GS, 99.2 IP, 3.61 ERA, 3.66 FIP, 1.8 fWAR

Matt Waldron is keeping the knuckleball alive and thriving.

In discussions about the Padres' starting rotation, names like Dylan Cease, Joe Musgrove, and Yu Darvish usually come up first. While Cease has had a solid year, Waldron has been the most consistent pitcher for the Padres since the start of the 2024 season.

Initially, increasing the use of a knuckleball might not seem like a path to success, but Waldron's enhanced reliance on this unpredictable pitch has been pivotal. His ability to control and effectively execute the knuckleball has been instrumental in his performance. Despite this, Waldron's contributions have flown under the radar and deserve more recognition.

https://twitter.com/AlScott1998/status/1805440745148735978?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Justin Martinez – Arizona Diamondbacks

2024 Stats: 28 G, 36.0 IP, 1.50 ERA, 2.72 FIP, 10.00 K/9

When discussing pitchers who can hurl a sinker over 100 mph, Justin Martinez might not immediately come to mind—you might not even recognize his name. Allow me to introduce him.

Martinez not only delivers his sinker at blistering speeds but also wields a criminally underrated splitter. This pitch deserves recognition as one of the most effective in the majors today.

Watching Martinez pitch in the late innings for the Diamondbacks is truly a spectacle.

Initially plagued by control issues upon his major league debut, Martinez revamped his mindset and technique during the 2024 spring training. This new approach has translated into marked success in the regular season, showcasing his improved command and effectiveness.

https://twitter.com/JesseNFriedman/status/1805388563674190070?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Justin Slaten – Boston Red Sox

2024 Stats: 31 G, 42.2 IP, 3.38 ERA, 2.44 FIP, 1.2 fWAR

The Red Sox hit the jackpot when they acquired Justin Slaten, a Rule 5 draft pick, in a trade with the Mets.

Though Slaten is currently experiencing a rough patch, his contributions were vital to the Red Sox bullpen's early success. Finding such success stories through Rule 5 picks isn't very common.

Slaten primarily uses his cutter, but his four-seam fastball, which can reach triple digits, and his equal deployment of the four-seam and sweeper—both used about 27% of the time—underscoring his potential effectiveness when performing well.

His strategy is straightforward: he aggressively attacks hitters.

Since his debut, Slaten has effectively implemented this approach and is focused on regaining his form as he moves forward with the Red Sox.

https://twitter.com/AramLeighton8/status/1772450519778279478?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

Simeon Woods Richardson – Minnesota Twins

2024 Stats: 15 GS, 77.2 IP, 3.48 ERA, 3.86 FIP, 1.2 fWAR

Simeon Woods Richardson's journey in baseball could easily fill an article.

Drafted by the Mets in 2019, SWR has already been a key player in two significant trades. He moved to the Blue Jays in exchange for Marcus Stroman and later to Minnesota in a deal for José Berríos.

Amidst this whirlwind of trades, it seemed doubtful that SWR would stabilize and fulfill his potential as a top prospect. However, some adjustments to his mechanics seem to have rejuvenated his career.

The young right-hander has become a steady presence in the Twins’ starting rotation, delivering reliable performances since the season's start.

While Woods Richardson may not have the flashy arsenal that captivates many fans, his skillful execution of pitches has contributed significantly to his success this year.

After much movement, it appears that Woods Richardson has truly found his place with the Twins, where he looks set to remain for the foreseeable future.

https://twitter.com/HagemanParker/status/1799869143337882092?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

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