After looking at rookies off to hot starts last week, we take a look at five players who have begun the year hot after struggling the year before.
MLB Players Making Comebacks in the 2024 Season
Tyler O’Neil
Tyler O’Neil is proving the Cardinals curse as true as O’Neil is second in MLB with seven homers. His first season as a Red Sox has been a successful one as he has been one of the hottest hitters in baseball hitting 304 with 1.206 OPS and a monster 235 OPS+. O’Neil has struggled the past two seasons as injuries limited him to a combined 168 games over two seasons. O’Neil’s breakout in 2021 was hitting 34 homers and had an OPS+ of 148. Though early, O’Neil may be finding some of the magic he had in 2022.
Taylor Ward
The so far lifetime Angel Taylor Ward has come out of the gates slugging in 2024. The 30-year-old has been on a tear posting a 148 OPS+ while driving in 20 runs and hitting six homers so far this year. Ward’s career has had its ups and downs since debuting in 2018. Ward struggled the first four years of his career but then broke out in 2022 with a 281. average, 833. OPS, 23 homers, and an OPS+ of 134. Taylor had a down 2023 as injuries derailed any momentum he tried to create. Although Ward has played over 100 games once in his career, Ward looks motivated so far to rebound in the 2024 season.
Giancarlo Stanton
Giancarlo Stanton has been a major league household name for years now as he has put up some monster numbers throughout his career. As all great players eventually do, Stanton began to see a dip in his stats. After numerous injuries over the past half-decade, Stanton’s home run totals, average, OPS, and OPS+ have been on the downtick over the past three years. With the 34-year-old entering his 15th year of service time, many wondered what it would bring. The vet seems to be turning back the clock this season as he currently sits at an OPS over 800. and has clubbed four homers so far this year. While there’s lots of season left, Stanton has enjoyed a nice start to the season.
Michael Conforto
Michael Conforto has had a rough couple of years as he had a rough 2021 and 2023 season and didn’t play a single game during the 2022 season. Conforto hasn’t had an OPS+ over 100 since 2020. So far during the 2024 campaign, Conforto has been hot, hitting 298. with a 951 OPS and four homers. The 31-year-old seems to be getting his career back on track.
Mike Trout
Usually, Mike Trout wouldn’t be on a comeback player list but after 82 games last season, Trout posted the lowest OPS, OPS+, and average of his career. Trout started the year off hot hitting a homer in the very first at-bat of the season. Trout is currently hitting 290. and is tied for a league-leading eight homers. Trout’s dominance shouldn’t come as a surprise as he has proven over his 14-year career that he puts up huge numbers while on the field. Trout’s biggest question is whether he can stay healthy over the duration of an entire season at this point in his career.
Main Image: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
