There are countless reasons why some MLB players take time to finally reach their potential and deliver a breakout season. We’re talking about the kind of campaign that makes us change the way we look at them.
It could be a change of scenery or a managerial change that leads to something finally clicking. It could be a mechanical or mental adjustment. It could be that a player decided to finally ditch the nasty pair of lucky socks he’s had since high school and put a fresh pair on his feet.
Whatever the reason, every regular season delivers a number of breakout performances, and this year is no different. While it’s true that most All-Breakout teams are composed of younger players, some veterans have reached new heights and are worthy of inclusion as well.
As for how we went about determining who got a starting nod at each position, much of the decision-making was left to a player’s individual numbers. How far above his previous career norms he’s playing was a big factor, but expectations and reputation played a part as well.
In situations where the numbers were so close there wasn’t a clear choice, personal preference entered into the equation.
For example, let’s say we’ve got two players battling it out for a roster spot at shortstop. One is a highly touted 24-year-old prospect, the other a 28-year-old whose career, thus far, has been relatively unimpressive. Like most people, we love an underdog and might lean toward the 28-year-old.
Then again, maybe we wouldn’t.