4 Yankees Who Will Exceed Expectations In 2024

Yankees fans are eagerly awaiting the start of the 2024 MLB seasons and their first chance to watch a new-look roster that made a huge splash by adding Juan Soto.

But it’s not always the play of the flashiest additions that will make all the difference for the season. You always need other players to step up across the roster — especially those who may have suffered setbacks in the past.

With that in mind, these four Yankees are ready to exceed fans’ expectations in 2024.

1. Jasson Dominguez

First up is Jasson Dominguez.

The trajectory of his career appeared certain as soon as he was called up on September 1, marking his debut with a home run in his first at-bat.

Dominguez quickly gained favor with Yankees fans in the eight games he made it through before needing Tommy John surgery. That short-live tenure was enough to have Yankees fans anxiously awaiting updates on his status. And all signs have been positive in that area. According to Aaron Boone, Jason Dominguez will “be back in the summer for us. I’m confident in that.”

During his brief run, Dominguez hit 4 home runs with a .258 batting average, and .677 slugging percentage. As anticipation mounts for his return and contributions to the team, enthusiasts eagerly await the unfolding of Dominguez’s performance in the forthcoming season.

2. Anthony Rizzo

Next we’ve got Anthony Rizzo, who was expected to be a crucial piece of the Yanks’ roster after coming over from Chicago.

Rizzo’s breakout for the 2024 season is important due to the setback suffered last year. He was batting .304 with 11 home runs in 204 at-bats, but the turning point occurred on May 28th in a game against the San Diego Padres. He collided with Fernando Tatis while attempting a pickoff play, leading to a concussion that seemed to really impact his play.

In the aftermath of the collision, Rizzo’s production fell significantly, especially his batting average. From the injury through August 3rd, when he was officially placed on the injured list, Rizzo managed a batting average of .172 with just one home run in 169 at-bats. The expectation is that a fully rehabilitated Rizzo will re-emerge as a highly valuable asset to the team’s roster for the remainder of the current year.

3. Anthony Volpe

Sep 17, 2023; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (11) circles | Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Ranked third on our list is ‘The Kid’, Anthony Volpe. Although Anthony Volpe’s success rode on the second half of his rookie year, he is expected to push through the infamous sophomore slump season.

In 2023, Volpe defied expectations and became the second Yankees Gold Glove winner since Derek Jeter. He made his mark in Yankees history after a challenging start over his first few months had left fans skeptical that he was ready for the big leagues.

The upcoming season has Volpe facing high expectations.

Fans are hopeful that he will overcome some of the issues he faced, such as his strikeout number reaching 167, the 17th most by an MLB player. Here’s to a great season with the hope that his outstanding performance extends beyond the need for additional chicken parmesan dinners to fuel his success.

4. Marcus Stroman

Feb 19, 2024; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Marcus Stroman (0) participates in | Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Last but certainly not least in our list of Yankees expected to break out is none other than the Bomber’s newest snag, Marcus Stroman.

Rumors surrounding Stroman’s potential move to the Yankees surfaced as both fans and management recognized the pressing need for strengthened pitching within the team.

Apparently agreeing with the speculation, the Yankees and Stroman finalized a two-year, $37 million deal in mid January.

In his final season with the Cubs, Stroman put up a solid 3.95 ERA over 136.2 innings, and was able to help them finish second in the NL Central Division. That marked his fourth straight year with an ERA below 4.00, and it was his third time in the previous four seasons earning double-digit wins.

Stroman is set to be a key starting pitcher, addressing their rotation needs. His passion for the game and eagerness to excel in New York make him a promising breakout player for the 2024 season.

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This article was originally published on empirewritesback.com as 4 Yankees Who Will Exceed Expectations In 2024.