The MLB’s opening day is just 50 days away, and there are plenty of things to look forward to in the upcoming 2024 season. From exciting debuts to rule changes and potential trades, here are 50 things of note for the upcoming season.
1. Ohtani’s debut: Shohei Ohtani signed the biggest contract in North American sports history, and fans can’t wait to see him hit bombs at Dodger Stadium.
2. Juan Soto in pinstripes: How many home runs will he hit to the short right porch in Yankee Stadium?
3. Action Jacksons: Two of the biggest prospects, Jackson Holliday of the Orioles and Jackson Chourio of the Brewers, will likely make their Major League debuts.
4. Orioles/Reds’ young core: Both teams have lots of young talent at both the major and minor league levels.
5. Yamamoto in Dodger blue: How will he adjust to pitching in the majors?
6. International baseball: The Padres and the Dodgers are playing in South Korea, the Red Sox and Rays will play in the Dominican Republic, the Astros and Rockies are traveling to Mexico City, and the Mets and Phillies are going to London.
7. Rickwood Field: The Giants and the Cardinals will travel to Birmingham, Ala. to play at the oldest professional ballpark in the United States as a part of Juneteenth celebrations to commemorate the Negro League and its history.
8. The possibility of back-to-back champs: The Rangers kept almost the entire roster from last year’s championship squad, and fans are eager to see if they can repeat.
9. The A’s final year in Oakland: The A’s are moving to Vegas, but there’s still one more season to enjoy in Oakland.
10. The Dodgers’ super team: On paper, the Dodgers look unstoppable, but we won’t know for sure until the postseason kicks off.
11. Championship droughts ending: Several teams, including the Phillies, Yankees, Orioles, and Rays, are hoping to end their World Series championship droughts.
12. Seeing what Ronald Acuña does next: The Atlanta Braves star is projected to be the MVP again this coming season, and fans are excited to see if he can top his impressive numbers from last season.
13. Rule changes: Baseball is implementing several rule changes to make the game faster, including tightening the pitch clock and giving baserunners more freedom.
14. Hard Knocks: Baseball edition: The Red Sox announced a Netflix documentary similar to Hard Knocks, providing an inside look at the team.
15. Final year for some veterans: This could be the last season we see players like Joey Votto, Zack Greinke, and Clayton Kershaw.
16. Josh Hader with the Astros: Houston added one of the best closers in the game to an already solid bullpen.
17. Cody Bellinger’s bounce back: After a challenging season, fans are curious to see if Bellinger can regain his MVP form.
18. Guerrero Jr.’s bounce back: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is predicted to be one of the most improved players next season, and fans are excited to see his progress.
19. Little League Classic: The Yankees and the Tigers will play in Williamsport in August, bringing the big league action to the little leagues.
20. The Astros’ eighth straight ALCS: The Astros have been a model of consistency, making it to the ALCS for seven consecutive seasons. Can they make it eight?
21. Mike Trout joining the 400 HR club: The superstar outfielder is only 32 home runs away from reaching this milestone.
22. Paul Goldschmidt reaching 2,000 hits: The Cardinals’ first baseman needs less than 100 hits to reach this impressive milestone.
23. Chris Sale as a Brave: The former Red Sox ace adds depth to the Braves’ pitching rotation and could contribute to their World Series run.
24. The Royals’ spending spree: Kansas City has the highest payroll in the AL Central, and fans are hoping that this investment pays off with improved performance.
25. Aces returning from injury: Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom will be back from injury this summer, making the defending champion Rangers even stronger.
26. Spring Breakout series: The MLB is launching a four-day event showcasing prospects across the Grapefruit and Cactus leagues.
27. Paul Skenes’ debut: One of the most hyped pitching prospects, Skenes is set to make his debut this year and could make a significant impact for the Pirates.
28. Elly De La Cruz’s sophomore campaign: The fastest man in spikes captured attention last year, and fans are excited to see what he can do in his second season.
29. Orioles’ new ownership: The Baltimore Orioles are officially under new ownership, and fans are hopeful this change will bring positive changes to the team.
30. Big names on the Hall of Fame ballot: Ichiro Suzuki, CC Sabathia, Felix Hernandez, and Dustin Pedroia are among the notable names on this year’s Hall of Fame ballot.
31. Luis Arraez’s hitting prowess: The Marlins second baseman impressed with his hitting last season, and fans are eager to see if he can continue to improve.
32. Spencer Torkelson’s progression: The former No. 1 overall pick had a strong season in Triple-A in 2023 and could make a significant impact for the Tigers this year.
33. Ron Washington’s leadership: With Shohei Ohtani gone and Mike Trout entering the later stages of his career, fans are curious to see what the 71-year-old manager can do with the Angels.
34. Spencer Strider’s strikeout record: The Braves ace has the potential to reach 300 strikeouts this season, making him one of the youngest pitchers to achieve this milestone.
35. The next Cleveland ace: The Guardians have a history of producing great pitchers, and fans are excited to see who will be the next standout player.
36. Nolan Jones making the Rockies watchable: The Rockies have struggled in recent seasons, but Nolan Jones could bring some excitement with his power and speed.
37. Christian Yelich’s resurgence: After a down year, fans are hoping to see the former NL MVP return to form and help lead the Brewers to success.
38. Steve Cohen’s plans for the Mets: The billionaire Mets owner spent 2023 selling, and fans are curious to see what moves he will make to improve the team.
39. Enjoying ballpark food: There’s something satisfying about biting into a hot dog or enjoying the peanuts and popcorn at the ballpark.
40. Soaking up the summer atmosphere: A nice summer day at the ballpark is a special experience, with the sun hitting your skin just right.
41. Singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”: It may be corny, but singing this iconic song during the seventh-inning stretch is a beloved tradition.
42. The crack of the bat: The sound of a well-hit ball is music to a baseball fan’s ears and signifies the start of the season.
43. Making fun of Angel Hernandez: The controversial umpire may frustrate fans, but there’s no denying the entertainment value of poking fun at his questionable calls.
44. Aaron Boone’s ejections: The Yankees skipper knows how to make a scene after getting tossed from a game, providing some memorable moments.
45. Pitchers and catchers reporting: The start of Spring Training is just around the corner, signaling that baseball is on its way back.
46. Spring training games: It’s a chance to see players in action and get a sense of their form heading into the regular season.
47. No Taylor Swift: While Taylor Swift may be a talented musician, some fans are glad that she won’t be distracting from the baseball action this season.
As we count down the days to the MLB’s opening day, there’s plenty to look forward to. From exciting debuts to potential trades and championship droughts ending, the 2024 season is shaping up to be an exciting one for baseball fans. Whether you’re a die-hard supporter or a casual viewer, there’s no denying the excitement and anticipation that comes with the start of a new season. So grab your peanuts and cracker jacks, because baseball is just around the corner.
