MLB 2019: Four young stars to watch

The 2019 MLB season is approaching as the next wave of top young stars prepare to take another big step forward.

This group includes National League Rookie of the Year winner Ronald Acuna of the Atlanta Braves. The Braves outfielder finished the 2018 MLB season with a .293 batting average to go with 26 home runs and 64 runs batted in, while appearing in just 111 games. As Acuna headlines the next wave of stars to watch in 2019, here is a look at the rest of the young stars to watch this season.

Juan Soto, Washington Nationals

The 2019 MLB season should bring a ton of fireworks to the nation’s capital, led by second-year star Soto. The Nationals outfielder was second in the National League Rookie of the Year award race after posting a .292 batting average to go with 22 home runs in 116 contests. Now with the uncertainty of where Bryce Harper will land, Soto has an opportunity to be the face of the Nationals’ lineup as the fans of the game wait to see what type of show he can put on in his sophomore season.

Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Angels

Much like Acuna, Ohtani dazzled the American League in 2018 leading to him taking home the AL Rookie of the Year award after dominating at times both on the mound as well as the plate. While Ohtani was shut down with an arm injury that forced him to miss most of the season on the mound, he still managed to be a full-time hitter for the Angels.

Ohtani finished the season with 22 home runs, while driving in 62 runs; these coming from just 104 games. The Angels rookie also finished with a 4-2 record and a 3.31 earned run average over 10 starts. Now after off-season Tommy John surgery, Ohtani will focus on being a full-time designated hitter during the 2019 MLB season while focusing on returning to the mound in 2020.

Walker Buehler, Los Angeles Dodgers

The 24-year-old Dodgers starter is slowly taking big strides to be the next ace of the Dodgers’ rotation as Clayton Kershaw continues to age. Buehler, who appeared in 24 regular season games last term, pitched to a 2.62 earned run average over 137.1 innings of work. Now as pitchers and catchers are preparing for the upcoming season, the big question heading into the 2019 MLB season is can Beuhler translate his success in 2018 over a full season, making 32-35 starts for the Dodgers.

Miguel Andujar, New York Yankees

Here is another Rookie of the Year runner-up candidate in 2018 and one that could have easily taken home the award after an impressive rookie campaign. Despite the success, many wondered if Andujar would be around this season in New York after his name surfaced in potential trade rumours. That said, Andujar will look to improve on his 27 home run and 92 run batting in the campaign of 2018.

Other young stars who could take big strides in 2019 include Vladimir Guerrero Jr, Harrison Bader, Eloy Jimenez and Tyler White.

Featured image credit: “Miguel Andujar” (CC BY-SA 2.0) by Keith Allison