All the Jewish MLB players to watch in 2024

(JTA) — The 2023 MLB season represented a watershed second for Jewish gamers and followers, as a report 19 Jewish gamers appeared in not less than one massive league sport.

That report, topping the earlier excessive of 17 in 2022, is more likely to be damaged but once more this yr.

The brand new season begins in earnest March 28, following a two-game collection in Seoul Wednesday and Thursday between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres.

As Opening Day attracts close to, there are many Jewish storylines to control: The 2 greatest Jewish gamers within the sport — Atlanta Braves pitcher Max Fried and Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman — are each coming into the ultimate yr of their contracts. Zack Gelof, the 2023 rookie phenom, seems to proceed his ascension in his first full season, whereas MLB veterans Joc Pederson, Kevin Pillar, Richard Bleier and Rowdy Tellez all swimsuit up for brand spanking new groups.

Learn on for our Jewish information to the 2024 MLB season.

Be part of us and our All-Star panel of baseball consultants on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET for a web-based occasion previewing the Jewish MLB gamers and storylines to observe in 2024. Join right here.

The massive leaguers

Alex Bregman, left, and Max Fried, proper, headline the 2024 crop of Jewish MLB gamers. (Getty Photos)

• Max Fried, Atlanta Braves, beginning pitcher: When Fried, 30, stays wholesome, he’s the most effective pitchers in baseball. The 2022 Nationwide League Cy Younger runner-up has a profession ERA of three.03 and has racked up his 62 wins at a historic tempo, with a profession profitable proportion above .700. However Fried, who received three consecutive Gold Glove awards for his protection from 2020-2022, began solely 14 video games final season whereas battling a variety of accidents. Now, within the remaining yr of his contract, the stakes are excessive for Fried — a Los Angeles native who grew up idolizing fellow Jewish lefty ace Sandy Koufax.

• Alex Bregman, Houston Astros, third baseman: Pegged as a possible future Corridor of Famer by some Jewish baseball consultants, Bregman, 29, has solidified himself as one of many premier third basemen in baseball, averaging 28 dwelling runs and 99 RBI over his eight-year profession. The 2-time All-Star and two-time World Sequence champion has change into the most effective postseason hitters of all time (his 19 dwelling runs are tied for fifth all-time), and like Fried, he’s coming into the ultimate yr of his contract. Bregman has been an energetic member of the Houston Jewish neighborhood and has proven help for Israel since Oct. 7, drawing a Star of David on his hat.

• Joc Pederson, Arizona Diamondbacks, outfielder: After two seasons in San Francisco, the 31-year-old two-time All-Star and two-time World Sequence champ joins the Arizona Diamondbacks, the defending Nationwide League champions and the fifth group of Pederson’s profession. Pederson, who performed a key position for Staff Israel within the 2023 World Baseball Basic — each as a participant and a recruiter — hit 15 dwelling runs in 121 video games final season. He’s now not the elite slugger he was when he crushed 36 homers in 2019, however Pederson stays a stable big-league hitter and veteran clubhouse presence.

• Harrison Bader, New York Mets, outfielder: After components of two seasons with the New York Yankees — and a short stint in Cincinnati — the New York native joined the Mets forward of 2024. Bader, 29, has battled accidents the previous couple seasons, which saved him from enjoying for Staff Israel. The 2021 Gold Glove winner spent the primary five-and-a-half seasons of his profession with the St. Louis Cardinals. Bader’s father, who’s Jewish, informed the Ahead final yr that his son is contemplating formally changing to Judaism.

• Rowdy Tellez, Pittsburgh Pirates, first baseman: The 29-year-old slugger is becoming a member of the Pirates after two-and-a-half seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers. Tellez, who has Jewish in addition to Mexican heritage, had thought-about enjoying for Israel within the WBC final yr however selected to play for Mexico. Tellez will look to regain the thump he had in 2022, when he hit 35 dwelling runs.

• Eli Morgan, Cleveland Guardians, reduction pitcher: After starting his profession as a starter, Morgan, 27, has grown right into a go-to bullpen possibility for Cleveland, posting a 4.01 ERA in 61 video games in 2023. Morgan’s father Dave, who’s Jewish, is a longtime sportswriter, and the youthful Morgan had deliberate to play for Israel in final yr’s WBC however in the end backed out.

• Garrett Stubbs, Philadelphia Phillies, catcher: Because the Phillies’ backup catcher, Stubbs, 30, doesn’t play a lot — he appeared in 46 video games in 2022 and 41 final yr. However Stubbs nonetheless makes his presence identified: he has gained a fame as a beloved clubhouse presence and the lifetime of the occasion, particularly throughout Philadelphia’s postseason celebrations. Stubbs additionally performed for Staff Israel within the 2023 WBC, and has already dedicated to enjoying for the group once more in 2026.

• Jake Chicken, Colorado Rockies, reduction pitcher: Chicken, 28, was among the many most dependable relievers within the majors final yr, showing in 70 video games for the Rockies, tied for seventh-most within the MLB. Chicken, who had deliberate to pitch for Staff Israel in 2023 however dropped out as a consequence of damage, posted a 4.33 ERA with 77 strikeouts.

• Richard Bleier, Washington Nationals, reduction pitcher: Bleier, 36, who additionally performed for Staff Israel final yr, will pitch for his fifth group in his ninth MLB season, becoming a member of the Nationals after spending most of final season with the Boston Purple Sox. Bleier, who didn’t break into the large leagues till he was 29, has a 3.27 profession ERA and has loved stretches of dominance: from 2016 by 2018, his ERA stayed beneath 2.00.

• Kevin Pillar, Chicago White Sox, outfielder: The 35-year-old is among the extra skilled gamers on this record: Pillar has performed 1,114 MLB video games throughout 11 seasons with seven completely different groups. Pillar performed in 81 video games for the Braves final yr, and signed a minor league take care of the White Sox in February. He’s anticipated to make the group’s Opening Day roster as a bench/platoon participant. Pillar has embraced his position as a Jewish ballplayer, together with by talking to up-and-coming Jewish athletes.

• Zack Weiss, Minnesota Twins, reduction pitcher: After enjoying for Staff Israel final yr, Weiss, 31, appeared in solely 12 video games in 2023, six every with the Los Angeles Angels and the Purple Sox. Weiss joined the Twins forward of this season however is predicted to start the yr on the injured record.

• Scott Effross, New York Yankees, reduction pitcher: Effross’s profession had gotten off to a stellar begin: in his first full season in 2022, Effross, 30, posted a 2.54 ERA with the Chicago Cubs and Yankees. Then, the damage bug bit. Effross, who wears a Star of David necklace on the mound and had deliberate to play for Staff Israel, missed your complete 2023 season after present process Tommy John surgical procedure. Effross will now be out till the summer season after a again surgical procedure derailed his rehab.

The minor leaguers who may see MLB motion

Spencer Horwitz, left, and Matt Mervis, proper, each made their MLB debuts in 2023 and can look to make it again to the large leagues this season. (Getty Photos)

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There are a selection of Jewish gamers who’re set to start the 2024 season within the minor leagues. Some have performed within the MLB earlier than, whereas others are nonetheless eagerly awaiting their first style of the majors.

• Matt Mervis, Chicago Cubs, first baseman: Mervis made his much-anticipated debut final yr, however lasted solely 27 video games earlier than being despatched again down the minors. The Staff Israel participant has prodigious energy — Mervis crushed 36 homers within the minors in 2022 and 22 final yr. However with the Cubs re-signing star first baseman and outfielder Cody Bellinger, Mervis’ path could also be even trickier in 2024.

• Spencer Horwitz, Toronto Blue Jays, first baseman: Mervis’ Staff Israel teammate additionally debuted in 2023 however appeared in solely 15 video games. Horwitz can hit — in 107 Triple-A video games final season, he posted a .337 batting common with 132 hits and 30 doubles.

• Jared Shuster, Chicago White Sox, beginning pitcher: Shuster entered 2023 as a highly-touted prospect — and even made the Opening Day roster — however he struggled in his first 11 MLB begins with the Braves and was traded to the White Sox throughout the offseason. He begins 2024 in Triple A.

• Kenny Rosenberg, Los Angeles Angels, pitcher: Rosenberg has appeared in 10 video games for the Angels over the previous two seasons, making 4 begins. He’ll begin the season in Triple A.

• Dalton Guthrie, Boston Purple Sox, utility: Guthrie has appeared in 37 MLB video games with the Phillies, however spent most of 2023 within the minors. He joined the Purple Sox for Spring Coaching however will begin the yr in Triple A.

• Evan Kravetz, Cincinnati Reds, reduction pitcher: The Staff Israel pitcher has but to make his MLB debut, however 2024 might be his yr. Kravetz struck out 67 batters in 36 video games throughout Double A and Triple A final season.

• Colton Gordon, Houston Astros, beginning pitcher: Staff Israel pitcher Colton Gordon made 24 begins throughout Double A and Triple A in 2023, posting a 4.14 ERA with 151 strikeouts in 128.1 innings. The 25-year-old begins 2024 within the minors, however his future appears shiny.

• Chase Strumpf, Chicago Cubs, infielder: Strumpf was thought-about a high prospect forward of the 2019 MLB Draft, when the Cubs chosen him sixty fourth total. In 2023, the 26-year-old hit 21 dwelling runs with 66 RBI in 104 video games. He begins the yr in Triple A alongside Mervis.

• C.J. Stubbs, Houston Astros, catcher: Garrett’s youthful brother C.J. is a catching prospect within the Astros group. Stubbs spent most of 2023 in Double A, the place he struggled on the plate — posting a .196 batting common with 132 strikeouts in 95 video games. Stubbs performed for Staff Israel final yr, changing Garrett after an damage. (Additionally they shared a brotherly second throughout Spring Coaching this month).

The long-shots, and an replace on a trailblazing prospect

Jake Gelof, left, and Jacob Steinmetz, proper, each start the 2024 season within the decrease minor leagues. (Getty Photos)

A couple of remaining names to control: Ryan Sherriff, the onetime Staff Israel pitcher who introduced his retirement in September however has stated he’d be open to pitching in 2024; Staff Israel pitchers Jake Fishman, Bubby Rossman and Robert Inventory, every of whom has MLB expertise and performed in impartial or overseas leagues in 2023; and Rob Kaminsky, who additionally pitched for Israel in 2023 earlier than spending the season within the Seattle Mariners system. He’s at present a free agent.

5 Jewish gamers had been chosen throughout final summer season’s MLB Draft: Jake Gelof (Zack’s youthful brother), Zach Levenson, RJ Schreck, Ben Simon and Will King.

Final however not least, 2021 MLB draftee Jacob Steinmetz, who’s hoping to change into the primary Orthodox participant in MLB historical past, was promoted to Single A final season. The 19-year-old — who loved a breakout efficiency for Staff Israel final yr — is probably going a number of years away from MLB motion.