Every year in the MLB, there are players who build a reputation in the league by putting together some consistently productive games, which could be considered a breakout year. An example from 2020 is Randy Arozarena, who provided seven homers for the Rays in the last month of the regular season, and took his hot streak into the playoffs. Here is a player from each team in the NL West team who can have a breakout season in 2021.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Josh Rojas (2B/LF)
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Although Josh Rojas hasn’t had much success in his first 58 MLB games, it looks like the 26-year-old will start at second base to start the 2021 season. In those 58 games, Rojas has a slash line of .206/.295/.271. However, he had a red hot spring training this season. He saw action in 24 games, and had a slash line of .347/.405/.583, giving him a .988 OPS. Rojas smacked four home runs during spring training, which is more than he currently has in his MLB regular season career.
Colorado Rockies: Yency Almonte (RP)
Although Yency Almonte will have the task of pitching at Coors Field, he can still become one of the best bullpen arms on the roster soon. Almonte made his debut in 2018, and has pitched 34 innings or less each season. So far, he is sitting at a 3.89 ERA through 76 1/3 innings heading into 2021. In 2020, Almonte pitched in 24 games and accumulated a 2.93 ERA with 23 strikeouts and six base on balls. On a Rockies team that isn’t projected to finish well, Almonte could become a guy who can help this team surpass the low expectations.
Los Angeles Dodgers: Gavin Lux (2B)
A lot of hype has been surrounding Gavin Lux, who is looking like he will be the starting second basemen for the Dodgers this year. He played 23 games in 2019 and 19 games last year, but hasn’t met expectations in that small sample size. He currently has a career slash line of .210/.278/.377 through 42 big league contests. Lux has fared much better in his 2021 spring training campaign, compiling an .839 OPS in 18 games. If Lux has a breakout year, it’ll boost an already stacked Dodgers offense.
San Diego Padres: Trent Grisham (OF)
On a team that added multiple All-Stars and already has some, their may not be as many breakout candidates. One of the few on San Diego is Trent Grisham, who provided a lot of offense for the Padres last season. In 59 games, Grisham had 21 extra-base hits, 26 RBIs and won a Gold Glove. Had the season gone 162 games, Grisham would have had more time to breakout. He will have the chance to do that in 2021 on a Padres team that has been drawing a lot of attention around the MLB.
San Francisco Giants: Caleb Baragar (RP)
The Giants also do not have as many breakout candidates as some other teams as they have a lot of veterans on the roster. One of the guys who can have a breakout season with San Francisco is relief-pitcher Caleb Baragar. He debuted last season and appeared in 24 games. Through 22 1/3 innings pitched, Baragar has a 4.03 ERA. He has a WHIP of 0.985 which was helped by him walking just five batters last season. Baragar should get some solid opportunities to earn more innings on the bump this season.
Featured Image Courtesy of dodgerblue.com.
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