Breakouts of 2023: AL East edition
With the 2023 MLB regular season nearly over and the playoffs looming, there are a few players in the American League East who deserve a little praise for their breakout campaigns in 2023.
These are the three most improved players in the AL East during the 2023 season.
Kyle Bradish, Baltimore Orioles, starting pitcher: After posting a 4-7 record with a 4.90 ERA in 23 starts during his rookie season with the Orioles in 2022, Bradish has blossomed into the leader of the Orioles pitching staff and a frontline starter during 2023.
Currently 10-6 with a 3.03 ERA, which is good for fifth-best in all of baseball, Bradish has also cut down on surrendering the long ball with 12 home runs allowed in 139.2 innings this year compared to the 17 he allowed in fewer innings last season.
With the best record in the American League, the Orioles can attribute that success to the 26-year-old right-hander who has been lights out in 2023.
He will look to carry his success into the postseason and into the future as he hopes to continue anchoring the Orioles pitching staff for years to come.
Isaac Paredes, Tampa Bay Rays, third base: Acquired by the Rays at the beginning of the 2022 season from the Detroit Tigers for outfielder Austin Meadows, Paredes has developed into one of the best third basemen in the American League.
After two stints with the Tigers from 2020-2021 Paredes slashed a meager .215/.290/.302 with two home runs and 11 RBI in 193 plate appearances.
After a respectable 2022 season, the 24-year-old is enjoying a breakout in Tampa Bay this year. Slashing .249/.349/.493, his 28 home runs and 87 RBI both rank in the top 10 in the AL and has been one of the most consistent hitters for a Rays team that has been hampered by injuries and controversy.
Jarren Duran, Boston Red Sox, outfielder: Despite undergoing season-ending surgery on his toe, Duran was one of the most improved players in the the MLB.
In his first two years with the Boston Red Sox, he struggled to figure things out posting a .219 batting average with 27 XBH and 27 RBI over 335 plate appearances.
After starting the season in Triple-A, he wasn't expected to be on the big league roster until Red Sox outfielder Adam Duvall went down with injury.
Duran capitalized on his opportunity and didn't look back, in 365 plate appearances this season the 27-year-old was a spark plug at the top of the Red Sox lineup slashing .295/.346/.482 with 44 XBH and 40 RBI.
He would also add 24 stolen bases before injury, after only nine in his first two seasons.
With a strong off-season workout program last year leading to his breakout, Duran will look to continue to improve himself as he prepares for the 2024 season.
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