Six under-the-radar players who could decide World Series
There are plenty of recognizable names in the 2023 World Series — Texas' Adolis Garcia and Max Scherzer and Arizona's Corbin Carroll, to name a few. They probably will play a big part in the Fall Classic, but expect others to step up, too. Here are six "under-the-radar" players who could decide the World Series.
Evan Carter | Texas Rangers | LF
Carter wasn’t ranked by any major national scouting outlet, but the Rangers took him with the 50th overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft anyway.
All he’s done is explode on the scene, posting a 1.058 OPS in 23 regular-season games, and help carry the Rangers into the postseason. He's kept that rolling in the playoffs too. Carter had at least one hit in 11 of the 12 playoff games so far, only going hitless in Game 2 of ALCS, and even then he still reached base on a walk.
He’s in the same outfield as Garcia, so it’s easy to overlook this 21-year-old who already has game-changing hitting ability.
Alek Thomas | Arizona Diamondbacks | CF
Thomas' calling card is his glove — he posted a +6 Outs Above Average (OAA) on Baseball Savant playing center field this season. Thomas hit nine home runs during the regular season and is tied for the team lead in home runs during the playoffs with four.
With everything on the line in the World Series, every run will be precious, so someone who can save one just as easily create one can have a major impact.
Marcus Semien | Texas Rangers | 2B
It’s crazy to think someone who drove in 100 runs this past season would be "under the radar," but that’s where Semien finds himself after a rough stretch during the playoffs.
Semien has been one of the better-hitting infielders in the majors for some time, but he has an OPS of just .507 this postseason.
Despite his struggles, he still had the respect of the opposition. Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker wanted no part in giving Semien (as well as shortstop Corey Seager) any potential motivation during the ALCS. He called them "two of the baddest dudes in this league."
Semien has 100 home runs over the past three seasons, giving him the game-changing power needed to make a difference in the World Series.
Josh Sborz | Texas Rangers | RHP
Closer Jose Leclerc has rightfully received most of the attention, but Sborz is another reliever the Rangers have relied on heavily during the playoffs. He has allowed one run in eight relief appearances spanning 8.2 innings. Of his eight inherited runners, none scored.
Leclerc has done a great job closing games, while Sborz has done a fantastic job preserving the lead in high-leverage situations. His postseason ERA (1.04) is more than four runs lower than his regular-season ERA (5.50) and career ERA (5.08).
Christian Walker | Arizona Diamondbacks | 1B
The Diamondbacks slugger has been held in check for most of the playoffs, but it seems like it’s only a matter of time before he breaks out.
Walker hit 33 home runs and drove in 103 runs across 157 games during the regular season but has just seven hits in 39 at-bats in the playoffs. He has flashed a little bit of that power in that span, with four of those seven hits going for extra bases.
In four games against the Rangers during the regular season, he hit three home runs and went 5-for-17.
Geraldo Perdomo | Arizona Diamondbacks | SS
His double-play partner, second baseman Ketel Marte, earned NLCS MVP honors, but Perdomo has had himself a solid playoffs as well.
An All-Star this year, Perdomo has two home runs and an .810 OPS in the postseason. Against Texas during the regular season, he had six hits — including two doubles — in eight at-bats and scored three runs.
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