Five MLB players with the most to prove in 2024

There were plenty of MLB players who were happy to see the 2023 season come to an end.

Poor performances, injuries, or just having everything possible go wrong torpedoed plenty of players last year. That is all in the past now; with spring training and a new season approaching, it is time to look ahead. However, for several players, the 2024 season is of the utmost importance. These players need to prove themselves by showing that they can still be important parts of a major league roster.

Let's take a look at five players who have the most to prove in 2024.

1. Carlos Rodon, LHP, New York Yankees

Rodon had been relatively mediocre before undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2019. He had been non-tendered by the Chicago White Sox after the 2020 season, eventually returning on a $3 million deal. Then Rodon looked like a star, posting a 2.67 ERA and a 0.998 WHIP over 310.2 innings between 2021 and 2022, striking out 422 batters with 88 walks. His performance over those two seasons led the Yankees to hand him a six-year, $162 million contract in December 2022.

That deal could not have started any worse. Rodon made 14 mediocre appearances, battling injuries and ineffectiveness. He posted a 6.85 ERA and a 1.446 WHiP in his 64.1 innings, striking out 64 batters with 28 walks. Rodon has gone from being the Yankees' co-ace to a question mark as their third starter. He needs to prove that he is the pitcher the Yankees thought they were getting.

2. Nestor Cortes, LHP, New York Yankees

Cortes had been a late-round draft pick in 2013 who bounced around the league a bit before 2021. The Yankees had even traded him before, sending him to the Mariners for future considerations in 2019. New York welcomed him back in 2021 on a minor league deal after being released, and he suddenly became a solid contributor upon returning to the majors. Cortes' breakout continued into 2022 when he posted a 2.44 ERA and a 0.922 WHIP in his 158.1 innings, striking out 163 batters compared to 38 walks. Cortes was an All-Star that year and appeared to be a key piece of the Yankees' future.

Then 2023 happened. Cortes strained a hamstring preparing for the World Baseball Classic and battled a shoulder injury during the season. He posted a 4.97 ERA and a 1.247 WHIP over his 63.1 innings, striking out 67 batters and walking 20. Cortes has to prove himself again and show he is more than just a one-year wonder.

3. Trevor Story, SS, Boston Red Sox

Story has seemingly been cursed since signing his six-year, $140 million contract with the Red Sox. He signed late in the 2021 offseason, had COVID-19, and has battled a myriad of injuries since. Story appeared in just 43 games in 2023 after undergoing UCL surgery. He has produced a combined .227/.287/.398 batting line in 564 plate appearances with the Red Sox, hitting 19 homers and 31 doubles while stealing 23 bases.

Story is healthy now and should be ready to perform at his usual level. He needs to prove that he is more than a product of Coors Field and can stay healthy — Boston desperately needs that to be the case as they are in the midst of a transitionary period with their roster.

4. Willson Contreras, C, St. Louis Cardinals

Contreras had a strong offensive season in 2023. He had produced a .264/.358/.467 batting line with 20 homers and 26 doubles in 495 plate appearances. The problem is that the Cardinals' pitching staff completely imploded without Yadier Molina behind the plate. It got to the point where Contreras was benched for several days with talk that he would be converted to an outfielder.

Molina is back in an advisory role. In theory, he will work with Contreras and the Cardinals' other catchers to help build that rapport with the pitching staff. Contreras is never going to be Molina behind the plate, but he has a strong arm. It is just a matter of building that comfort level, something that Contreras needs to prove he can do in 2024.

5. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, RHP, Los Angeles Dodgers

Expectations are sky-high for Yamamoto. He inked a 12-year deal worth $325 million before ever setting foot on a major league mound. His performance in Japan would indicate that he is worth every cent of that deal. Yamamoto posted a stellar 1.82 ERA and a 0.935 WHIP over his 897 NPB innings, striking out 922 batters with 206 walks. He won three consecutive Sawamura Awards, three consecutive Pacific League MVP awards, and the pitching Triple Crown in each of his last three years.

Yamamoto also has the largest contract of any pitcher in major league history in terms of years and dollar amount. There is an adjustment period for any pitcher coming stateside from Japan no matter how dominant they may be. There will be immediate pressure for Yamamoto to become an ace-caliber pitcher in Los Angeles. He should be able to live up to those lofty standards but he will need to prove he can be that same pitcher in MLB.