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MLB players ready to make 'the leap' in 2020
Shohei Ohtani could really take off if he stays healthy. Norm Hall/Getty Images

MLB players ready to make 'the leap' in 2020

While the 2020 MLB season is scheduled for only 60 games, that's still enough of an opportunity for players to make a name for themselves. These 30 have a chance to take a huge leap forward in 2020.

 
1 of 30

Arizona Diamondbacks: Zac Gallen, SP

Arizona Diamondbacks: Zac Gallen, SP
Joe Camporeale / USA Today Sports Images

Acquired from Miami last season, Gallen posted an impressive 2.81 ERA in 15 starts during his rookie campaign. He could step up to be Arizona's ace this year and give the team a real chance of being competitive in the NL West.

 
2 of 30

Atlanta Braves: Austin Riley, 3B

Atlanta Braves: Austin Riley, 3B
Reinhold Matay / USA Today Sports Images

Riley went on a power tear when he was promoted by the Braves last year, but the hot streak soon came to an end. He spent the end of the year on the bench, though the Braves are counting on Riley after the departure of Josh Donaldson. He has the power to make a difference in the team's lineup.

 
3 of 30

Baltimore Orioles: Hunter Harvey, RP

Baltimore Orioles: Hunter Harvey, RP
Brad Mills / USA Today Sports Images

Harvey was once a top prospect, but he has struggled to stay healthy during his pro career. He created some buzz last season in relief and could compete for the closer role this year in another rebuilding season for Baltimore.

 
4 of 30

Boston Red Sox: Andrew Benintendi, LF

Boston Red Sox: Andrew Benintendi, LF
Brian Fluharty / USA Today Sports Images

Benintendi is coming off a poor 2019 season, but he posted a solid .830 OPS the previous year. Boston is counting on him following the trade of Mookie Betts, and Benintendi has been working hard in the offseason to get back on track.

 
5 of 30

Chicago Cubs: Ian Happ, OF

Chicago Cubs: Ian Happ, OF
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

Happ was demoted after spring training last year but made up for lost time when he was called up late in the year, with an .898 OPS in 156 plate appearances. He's set for regular at-bats this season with the addition of the DH.

 
6 of 30

Chicago White Sox: Luis Robert, CF

Chicago White Sox: Luis Robert, CF
Rick Scuteri / USA Today Sports Images

Robert was the talk of early spring training and is likely to be Chicago's Opening Day center fielder. The toolsy Cuban has clear 30/30 upside that he could flash in his MLB debut.

 
7 of 30

Cincinnati Reds: Nick Senzel, CF

Cincinnati Reds: Nick Senzel, CF
Kareem Elgazzar / USA Today Sports Images

Injuries have continued to ruin Senzel's early career, but the ability he showed while on the field was good, with 12 home runs and 14 stolen bases in 104 games. Cincinnati is excited about the former first-round pick's upside if he can stay on the field.

 
8 of 30

Cleveland Indians: James Karinchak, RP

Cleveland Indians: James Karinchak, RP
David Dermer / USA Today Sports Images

Karinchak has incredible swing-and-miss stuff, posting 74 strikeouts in only 30.1 innings in the minors last season. He was similarly dominant in five MLB appearances and should slot in as Cleveland's setup man this season.

 
9 of 30

Colorado Rockies: Sam Hilliard, RF

Colorado Rockies: Sam Hilliard, RF
Gary A. Vasquez / USA Today Sports Images

Hilliard showed great power late last season with seven home runs in only 87 plate appearances, and he has a good chance of at-bats going into 2020. With the help of Coors Field, he could be a major contributor quickly.

 
10 of 30

Detroit Tigers: Christin Stewart, OF

Detroit Tigers: Christin Stewart, OF
Kelley L. Cox / USA Today Sports Images

Stewart disappointed in his official rookie season with only 10 home runs in 416 plate appearances, but his minor league track record suggests 30 home run power. He's one of the few building blocks in the Tigers lineup and hopes to get off to a better start this year.

 
11 of 30

Houston Astros: Kyle Tucker, OF

Houston Astros: Kyle Tucker, OF
Jasen Vinlove / USA Today Sports Images

Tucker remains a top MLB prospect but has been left without a place to play in Houston's loaded lineup. This could be the year he finally unseats Josh Reddick to get playing time and shows his 30/30 upside.

 
12 of 30

Kansas City Royals: Maikel Franco, 3B

Kansas City Royals: Maikel Franco, 3B
Bill Streicher / USA Today Sports Images

Franco quickly fell out of favor in Philadelphia for his mediocre defense and disappointing bat, but he has a clean slate with the Royals. The three-time 20-plus home run hitter hopes to get on a hot streak early this season.

 
13 of 30

Los Angeles Angels: Shohei Ohtani, DH/SP

Los Angeles Angels: Shohei Ohtani, DH/SP
Angels Baseball / USA Today Sports Images

Ohtani is an accomplished hitter in his first two MLB seasons but has made only 10 appearances as a pitcher due to Tommy John surgery. His arm should be healthy for the start of the season, and he has a chance to reach his full potential as an outstanding two-way star.

 
14 of 30

Los Angeles Dodgers: Dustin May, SP

Los Angeles Dodgers: Dustin May, SP
Geoff Burke / USA Today Sports Images

L.A.'s top pitching prospect was excellent in his MLB debut last season, posting a 3.63 ERA in 34.2 innings. After David Price opted out of the 2020 season, May has a better chance for a spot in the Dodgers rotation and make a bigger impact this year.

 
15 of 30

Miami Marlins: Pablo Lopez, SP

Miami Marlins: Pablo Lopez, SP
Bill Streicher / USA Today Sports Images

Lopez had a disappointing 2019 season that included injury, with an ERA above 5.00. However, his control remained outstanding, and his ability to throw strikes should be an asset for the Marlins rotation this year.

 
16 of 30

Milwaukee Brewers: Freddy Peralta, P

Milwaukee Brewers: Freddy Peralta, P
Joe Camporeale / USA Today Sports Images

Peralta misses bats on command, but his inconsistent control has made him difficult to rely on in his first two MLB seasons. He did create some buzz during spring training, and Milwaukee is counting on Peralta as a high upside arm this year.

 
17 of 30

Minnesota Twins: Luis Arraez, 2B

Minnesota Twins: Luis Arraez, 2B
Wendell Cruz / USA Today Sports Images

Arraez's pure hitting ability could lead to a batting title in the future, as he showed last season by hitting .334. With Jonathan Schoop out of the way, Arraez is set to be Minnesota's starting second baseman.

 
18 of 30

New York Mets: Amed Rosario, SS

New York Mets: Amed Rosario, SS
Andy Marlin / USA Today Sports Images

Rosario has made nice progress in three MLB seasons, posting a career-high .755 OPS last year. Still just entering his age 24 season there is more room for growth, as his bat could push him into the middle of the batting order.

 
19 of 30

New York Yankees: Jordan Montgomery, SP

New York Yankees: Jordan Montgomery, SP
Kim Klement / USA Today Sports Images

Montgomery was an effective starter early in his career before undergoing Tommy John surgery, and he's competing for a rotation spot again this summer. With a career 3.91 ERA, Montgomery shows excellent upside.

 
20 of 30

Oakland Athletics: Jesus Luzardo, SP

Oakland Athletics: Jesus Luzardo, SP
Tim Heitman / USA Today Sports Images

Luzardo is one of the best pitching prospects Oakland has produced in years, but he missed most of last season due to arm trouble. Now healthy, Luzardo could not only compete for a rotation spot but also for becoming the team's ace in 2020.

 
21 of 30

Philadelphia Phillies: Spencer Howard, SP

Philadelphia Phillies: Spencer Howard, SP
Kim Klement / USA Today Sports Images

Pitching is seen as Philadelphia's biggest weakness entering the season, but Howard could rescue the team. The top pitching prospect is coming off a great Arizona Fall League, as he tries to win the fifth starter spot.

 
22 of 30

Pittsburgh Pirates: Gregory Polanco, RF

Pittsburgh Pirates: Gregory Polanco, RF
Brett Davis / USA Today Sports Images

Polanco had trouble overcoming a shoulder injury last season after hitting a career-high 23 home runs in 2018. Now healthy, he has a chance to hit in the middle of Pittsburgh's batting order and put up the numbers expected of him as a former top prospect.

 
23 of 30

San Diego Padres: Francisco Mejia, C

San Diego Padres: Francisco Mejia, C
Jake Roth / USA Today Sports Images

Mejia's bat pushed him to the majors, and he finally showed it off during the second half of last season by hitting .305-6-16 in 141 plate appearances. He could put up an elite offensive performance during the shortened season.

 
24 of 30

San Francisco Giants: Logan Webb, SP

San Francisco Giants: Logan Webb, SP
Matt Kartozian / USA Today Sports Images

Webb struggled in eight starts last season but has a strong minor league track record and opportunity to win the fifth starter job. As an extreme groundball pitcher, he provides strong upside for San Francisco.

 
25 of 30

Seattle Mariners: Shed Long, 2B

Seattle Mariners: Shed Long, 2B
Joe Nicholson / USA Today Sports Images

Long is likely to be Seattle's leadoff hitter and starting second baseman this season. With regular at-bats for the first time, he could prove himself a building block in Seattle's lineup.

 
26 of 30

St. Louis Cardinals: Tyler O'Neill, OF

St. Louis Cardinals: Tyler O'Neill, OF
Joe Puetz / USA Today Sports Images

O'Neill has yet to find regular at-bats in the majors, but there's no questioning his power potential with 14 home runs in 293 plate appearances. With the addition of the DH, he could finally see an everyday opportunity.

 
27 of 30

Tampa Bay Rays: Tyler Glasnow, SP

Tampa Bay Rays: Tyler Glasnow, SP
Jonathan Dyer / USA Today Sports Images

Glasnow was dominant early last season before suffering an injury, finishing the regular season with a 1.78 ERA in 12 starts. He has a chance to bounce back at the top of Tampa's rotation this year.

 
28 of 30

Texas Rangers: Willie Calhoun, LF

Texas Rangers: Willie Calhoun, LF
Troy Taormina / USA Today Sports Images

Calhoun had a scare in spring training when he took a pitch to the head, but he's had enough time to heal. He had 21 home runs in only 83 games last year and could continue that momentum.

 
29 of 30

Toronto Blue Jays: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 3B

Toronto Blue Jays: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 3B
Kim Klement / USA Today Sports Images

Arguably the top hitting prospect in baseball entering last season, Guerrero didn't quite match the hype owith only 15 home runs in 514 plate appearances. He smakes consistent hard contact though and could reach his potential this year.

 
30 of 30

Washington Nationals: Austin Voth, SP

Washington Nationals: Austin Voth, SP
Brad Mills / USA Today Sports Images

Voth is the favorite to win Washington's fifth starter job after improving his velocity last season. He had a 3.30 ERA in 43.2 innings for the Nats last season.

Seth Trachtman

Seth Trachtman is a sportswriter, digital marketer, and fantasy sports expert based in St. Louis, Missouri. He’s a two-time winner of the Tout Wars Fantasy Baseball Expert’s League, and his work has appeared in hundreds of fantasy baseball and fantasy football newsstand and online publications

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Cardinals All-Star Could Be On Hot Seat For St. Louis
MLB

Cardinals All-Star Could Be On Hot Seat For St. Louis

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Jelena Ostapenko responds to racism allegations after post-match confrontation with Taylor Townsend 
Tennis

Jelena Ostapenko responds to racism allegations after post-match confrontation with Taylor Townsend 

A heated post-match exchange between former World No. 5 Jelena Ostapenko and Taylor Townsend marred an otherwise action-filled fourth day of the U.S. Open on Wednesday. After Townsend defeated the 2017 French Open champion in straight sets, 7-5, 6-1, Ostapenko accused her opponent of unsportsmanlike conduct, pointing out that the American didn't apologize when a net cord helped her win a crucial point earlier in the match. The Latvian wrote on social media that Townsend "was very disrespectful" and didn't show the proper etiquette expected of a pro tennis player. "If she plays in her homeland, it doesn’t mean that she can behave and do whatever she wants," she wrote in a scathing address of Townsend. Townsend offered more details on their post-match confrontation, which led to some suggesting she was racially targeted. "She told me I have no class and no education, and to see what happens if we play each other outside the U.S.," Townsend revealed. Townsend refused to call Ostapenko a racist. "I didn't take it in that way," she said, via BBC. "But also that has been a stigma in our community of being not educated, and all of the things, when it's the furthest thing from the truth. Whether it had racial undertones or not, that's something she can speak on." Ostapenko was widely lambasted on social media, with even World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka asking her to control her emotions. The under-attack Latvian responded to allegations of her being a racist, while reaffirming her stance on Townsend disrespecting her during the match. "I was never racist in my life and I respect all nations of people in the world, for me it doesn't matter where you come from," she wrote on social media. Townsend will next face Russian teenage prodigy Mirra Andreeva in the third round. The World No. 46 American is trying to reach the fourth round of her home major for the first time since 2019.

Jerry Jones again proves he shouldn't be making decisions for Cowboys
NFL

Jerry Jones again proves he shouldn't be making decisions for Cowboys

When it comes to major decisions for the Dallas Cowboys it is always going to be Jerry Jones' way or the highway. The problem with that philosophy, however, is that the Jerry Jones way has proven to be a failure for more than 30 years. It's long past time for him to give up control of the team and hire a real general manager to fix the mess he keeps creating. All of that is back on the front-burner again following Thursday's conclusion of the Micah Parsons saga, with the All-Pro superstar getting traded to the Green Bay Packers for defensive tackle Kenny Clark and two first-round picks. In a vacuum, it's not a terrible return. Clark is a legitimate starter on the defensive line -- and a very good player -- and two first-round picks are always going to have some value. But professional sports does not exist in a vacuum. There is always more context at play, and the context here is that an in-his-prime superstar (Parsons), that is one of the biggest game-changers in the league, and a player that was trying to make it work in Dallas, is now playing for somebody else because Jones could not get out of his own way. From the very beginning Jones bungled this contract negotiation, doing the one thing he does best — making himself and Cowboys drama the focal point, and what is best for the team a secondary matter. It's the Jerry Jones way. And it's a losing way. This situation did not have to end up the way it did. There was a perfectly reasonable outcome that would have seen Parsons remain in Dallas throughout the prime of his career and continue to be a focal point of its defense. All it would have taken was a common sense approach and an owner whose concern for the organization outweighed their ego. Every major negotiation with the Cowboys ends up getting drawn out into chaos. It's all part of Jerry's desire to keep him and his team at the top of the headlines. It usually results in him having to pay a player more money than he otherwise would have. And even that may not be a problem for Jerry because he gets to talk about how he negotiated and paid out this huge contract. This time, however, the plan finally burned him. If you want to reach, or if you want to carry Jones' water for him, you might be able to put together a somewhat coherent argument as to how this can work out. Maybe those two first-round picks will pan out in the future. Maybe Clark is a great fit in the middle of Dallas' defensive line. Maybe. Maybe, maybe, maybe. The more maybe's you throw in, the more likely it is they are not going to all pan out. Clark is good, but he's not Parsons. He is not as disruptive, he is not as good and he is going to be 30 years old this season while Parsons is still only 26. Two first-round picks looks good on paper, but the Packers are a pretty good team — and will be even better with Parsons — and those picks will likely be in the back half of the first-round. You hope to find a good player with at least one of them, if not both. The odds that either one is as good as Parsons are long. Since winning their last Super Bowl during the 1995 season the Cowboys have consistently been one of the NFL's most mediocre franchises. Never truly awful, but never good. They will make the playoffs semi-regularly, but never go anywhere. They have the longest NFC Championship game drought in the conference. They never get close to the Super Bowl and have not been bonafide contenders in literal decades. A sane owner would look at those results and would have fired multiple general managers for that run. Jones has no one to fire because he is the general manager. And he likes the way he is doing things. The problem is it doesn't work. It hasn't worked. And it won't work. History has proven that.

The '2024 NFL receiving leaders' quiz
NFL Quiz

The '2024 NFL receiving leaders' quiz

As NFL teams announce their captains for the 2025 season, one name that won't surprise anyone is Justin Jefferson. Jefferson is joined by running back Aaron Jones Sr. and quarterback J.J. McCarthy as an offensive captain for the Minnesota Vikings. Jefferson is entering his sixth NFL season and his third as a Viking captain. He's yet to record fewer than 1,074 receiving yards in a season (2023 when he only played 10 games) and is coming off of his second-most productive season with Sam Darnold under center in 2024. There is some uncertainty surrounding his availability for Week 1 against the Chicago Bears due to a hamstring issue that's kept him out of most of training camp. Fortunately for Minnesota fans, Jefferson has returned to practicing, indicating he could be ready for the start of the regular season. Which brings us to today's quiz. Jefferson caught 103 passes for 1,533 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. With that being said, how many of the 24 receivers to eclipse 1,000 yards in the 2024-25 NFL season can you name in five minutes. Good luck! Did you like this quiz? Are there any quizzes you’d like to see us make in the future? Let us know your thoughts at quizzes@yardbarker.com, and make sure to subscribe to our Quiz of the Day Newsletter for daily quizzes sent right to your email!