The biggest X-factors on every MLB roster for 2024

Arizona is hoping to build on last year's playoff success, and that will require more consistent pitching. They addressed the need by signing Eduardo Rodriguez and Jordan Montgomery in free agency, but Pfaadt could be an even more important piece. The former top prospect struggled for much of last season but delivered in the playoffs by posting a 3.27 ERA over five starts. A continuation of that success should push the Diamondbacks back to the postseason.

The Braves have arguably the most talented squad in baseball on paper again, but there are still some questions. Kelenic is among the biggest, as a former top prospect in Seattle who hasn't yet fulfilled his promise. He did make progress last season by hitting .253-11-49 in 105 games with Seattle, but his season was ruined by injury. The Braves hope Kelenic can take the next step after acquiring him in the offseason.

Holliday was the first overall pick out of high school in the 2022 draft, but was sent down following Spring Training likely due to service time concerns. The son of former MLB star Matt Holliday, Jackson has shown incredible plate discipline while tearing through the minors. Baltimore's offense could take another step forward if Holliday can fulfill the hype when he's promoted in the first half.

Pivetta has been an enigmatic pitcher during most of his MLB career, showing flashes of dominance but too much inconsistency. He was an ace down the stretch for Boston last year and will be counted on in that role after the team traded Chris Sale. The Red Sox desperately need Pivetta to be reliable for a talented but unproven pitching staff.

Crow-Amstrong failed to make the roster out of Spring Training after Cody Bellinger was re-signed, but his time will come. The top prospect hit .283-20-82 with 37 steals between Double- and Triple-A last season, flashing elite upside.

Injuries and poor control have sidetracked Crochet's career, but the White Sox still have high hopes for their former first-round pick. He flashed brilliance as the Opening Day starter.

We saw a bit of everything from De La Cruz in his rookie season, from elite speed, power, and arm strength to major issues with plate discipline and strikeouts. Cincinnati has the depth to work in De La Cruz slowly this season if he struggles in Spring Training, but he could also become the face of the franchise quickly if he fixes his bugs.

The anemic Guardians offense is in desperate need of a middle of the order hitter, and Manzardo shows that potential. The former Rays farmhand has shown big power over the last two minor league seasons and could arrive in May.

Bryant has been an extreme disappointment since signing with Colorado two years ago, playing a total of 122 games due to injuries. The Rockies will move Bryant to first base this season to help keep him healthy, and they desperately need the former MVP to deliver as their banged-up pitching staff gets healthy.

The future in Detroit looks bright due to homegrown talent, particularly the pitching staff. The team added veterans Kenta Maeda and Jack Flaherty to a high-upside staff that includes Tarik Skubal, Matt Manning, and Reese Olson, with Case Mize and Sawyer Gipson-Long also showing promise. Further down the line are top prospects Ty Madden and Jackson Jobe, who could make Detroit's starting pitching the best in baseball by 2025. 

Brown failed to fulfill expectations last year after a great showing down the stretch in 2022. The Astros are still relying on him in 2024, particularly with Justin Verlander nursing an injury in Spring Training. The former top prospect has the ability with excellent strikeout and groundball rates.

KC's lineup was in rough shape last season after losing Pasquantino to a season-ending shoulder injury. They've added reinforcements like Hunter Renfroe, but it will be on Pasquantino to be a difference-maker. He's shown the ability with outstanding plate discipline and a .799 OPS in 133 games over the last two seasons.

Shohei Ohtani will be irreplaceable for the Angels, whose most high profile offseason move was the hire of Ron Washington as manager. Washington has managerial experience and was one of Atlanta's most respected coaches recently. Adding a hungry coaching staff around him, the new feel in the clubhouse will hopefully help the Angels turn a corner after recent years of disappointment.

The Dodgers rightfully garnered attention for their high-profile moves during the offseason, with the additions of Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Teoscar Hernandez. However, depth could be equally as important for LA after the team wore down in the playoffs over the last three years. The team's depth is nearly as impressive, particularly on the pitching side with reinforcements like Walker Buehler, Clayton Kershaw, Dustin May, and Gavin Stone set to help the team at some point in 2024.

Perez showed why he was the game's best pitching prospect when he posted a 3.15 ERA over his first 19 starts last season. The pressure will be on Perez to be even better this year due to Sandy Alcantara's absence following Tommy John surgery, though the youngster is returning from an elbow injury of his own. Miami is likely to limit Perez's innings when he does return, but he could still play a key role.

Despite the trade of Corbin Burnes and injury to Brandon Woodruff, pitching could still be a strength of the Brewers roster. The team still has a capable ace in Freddy Peralta, a former top prospect returning from injury in Aaron Ashby, and additional intriguing arms like Jakob Junis, DL Hall, and Robert Gasser. The bullpen also remains strong, led by elite closer Devin Williams.

The loss of Sonny Gray in free agency leaves a major void in the starting rotation that Minnesota hopes Paddack can fill. He looked terrific late last season after returning from Tommy John surgery and has a track record of past success, including a 3.33 ERA in 26 starts with San Diego in 2019.

An ace earlier in his career with the Yankees, Severino was knocked around last season in spite of excellent stuff. Speculation that he was tipping pitches made Severino an intriguing free-agent option for the Mets, who had a major need in the rotation after trading Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander last year.

A key part of the Yankees starting rotation in 2021-2022, Cortes started only 12 games last season due to a shoulder injury. There remain questions about his health heading into Spring Training, but the Yankees desperately need Cortes' ace form to return.

There aren't many foundational pieces on the A's roster, but Gelof appears to be an exception. He was an elite offensive performer upon his arrival last season and could give the team a glimpse of the future with a full campaign.

Sanchez was a surprise rotation performer when the Phils needed him last season, posting a 3.44 ERA in 99.1 innings. The team will lean on Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler again this season, but Sanchez's contribution could be just as important with the team competing with the talented Braves for the NL East.

The highly talented Cruz played only nine games last season, suffering a catastrophic leg injury early in the year. The Pirates hope to take a step forward this season, and a healthy Cruz will be a big part after he showed his talent in 2022 with 17 home runs in 87 games.

The Padres are set to lose the Cy Young contribution of Blake Snell, along with Juan Soto. Their ability to compete could hinge on Darvish, who missed significant time with arm injuries last season. Despite last season's struggles, he's just one year removed from winning 16 games.

The Giants took an interesting and calculated risk when they acquired Ray from Seattle in the offseason. The former Cy Young winner might not be ready to return from Tommy John surgery until after the All-Star break but could join Logan Webb and Blake Snell at that time to create an imposing trio atop the starting rotation.

Miller made an immediate impact when he was promoted early last season with an elite fastball and control, finishing with a 4.32 ERA in 25 starts. He has the ability to do more for the Mariners after working on his secondary pitches during the offseason and could help Seattle's rotation be one of the best in baseball behind George Kirby, Luis Castillo, and Logan Gilbert.

The Cardinals top prospect, Walker's bat came around after a demotion last season to hit .276-16-51 in 465 plate appearances. The team hopes his defense can do the same, as he struggled mightily in right field after shifting from the infield. Walker's bat could also play a huge role for the NL Central favorites.

Caminero is one of the top-hitting prospects in the game and got a taste of MLB late last season. Caminero begins the year in the minors, but he will almost certainly make a big impact for a Rays lineup that's searching for an impact bat on the infield.

Carter was the Rangers X-factor in the playoffs, and the team hopes his impact continues into the 2024 regular season. He posted an OPS above .900 in 40 games between the regular season and playoffs, and the team needs the offense to step up after losing Max Scherzer to injury.

After finishing third in the AL Cy Young race in 2022, Manoah's performance completely collapsed last season. He's off to a late start due to a shoulder injury, but could still serve nicely as the fifth starter.

Gray became Washington's ace last season, making an All-Star appearance and posting a 3.91 ERA in 30 starts. Still, he struggled to throw strikes and wore down in the second half of the season. Gray's development this season will play a huge role in the team's success.