Who will be the best third year position player from the class of 2024 next season?
 

They’ve all survived the dreaded sophomore slump year. Which of these position players from the rookie logo card class of 2024 is going to have their best performance in 2026?

Obviously, two of the pitchers have done incredibly well, let’s just focus on the position players.

[QUOTE=hermanotarjeta;20090926]They’ve all survived the dreaded sophomore slump year. Which of these position players from the rookie logo card class of 2024 is going to have their best performance in 2026?

Obviously, two of the pitchers have done incredibly well, let’s just focus on the position players.[/QUOTE]

Is this supposed to be a poll? Not seeing any players listed or do we go scan the checklist?

[QUOTE=finfangfan;20090927]Is this supposed to be a poll? Not seeing any players listed or do we go scan the checklist?[/QUOTE]

Poll posted!

That’s a lot of names to type on a tiny screen!

I went with Elly, but I honestly have no idea, Herms.

There are a lot of "solid" players on that list, but no future superstars.

Junior Caminero had the highest OPS+ at 131, but that's not really enough to move the needle when you've got Judge at 215 and Ohtani at 179.

Pete Alonso is largely a hobby non-entity with a career OPS+ of 135, as is Vlad Jr. at 136.

Soto is at 160 and is getting largely ignored by the hobby. Acuna is at 141 for his career (and reached 163 in a half season last year) and is largely ignored.

I'd take Bobby Witt Jt. and Corbin Carroll over any of those guys because of their combination of power and speed.

I went off the board with Andy Pages...mostly in faux protest to him not cracking the top 9. Excellent production in 2025 and a plus defender to boot.

Elly and Chourio the two bets all-around players.

Caminero hits a lot of HRs, but to be the next J-Ram he will need to raise the AVG and start stealing some bases… and it’s not even like J-Ram sets the hobby on fire. Although if he can consistently hit 40ish HRs for the next 10-12 years and have some clutch playoff moments once he signs with the Dodgers/Yankees, he could carve his own hobby path.

I went with Jackson Holliday. Primarily because I’m a Homer for the Orioles, but I also can see him bulking up a bit in year 3 and having more power to add to his .270+ batting average.

[QUOTE=mfw13;20091111]There are a lot of "solid" players on that list, but no future superstars.

Junior Caminero had the highest OPS+ at 131, but that's not really enough to move the needle when you've got Judge at 215 and Ohtani at 179.

Pete Alonso is largely a hobby non-entity with a career OPS+ of 135, as is Vlad Jr. at 136.

Soto is at 160 and is getting largely ignored by the hobby. Acuna is at 141 for his career (and reached 163 in a half season last year) and is largely ignored.

I'd take Bobby Witt Jt. and Corbin Carroll over any of those guys because of their combination of power and speed.[/QUOTE]

Witt and Carroll are right around those guys in terms of OPS+, and neither will likely ever sniff the 70+ Acuna stolen bases Acuna put up. Heck, Soto had more stolen bases than Carroll last year and tied with Witt Jr. which is buzarre, but true. I think you might be asking too much if you want a player to get to Judge's level, and I think the threshold for superstardom is lower.

[QUOTE=jduds;20091522]Witt and Carroll are right around those guys in terms of OPS+, and neither will likely ever sniff the 70+ Acuna stolen bases Acuna put up. Heck, Soto had more stolen bases than Carroll last year and tied with Witt Jr. which is buzarre, but true. I think you might be asking too much if you want a player to get to Judge's level, and I think the threshold for superstardom is lower.[/QUOTE]

Soto's stolen bases last year were pretty shocking.....he had 57 career SB in seven seasons and then stole 38 in 2025.

My point was more that the guys who are multi-tool players (i.e. power AND speed) have more upside, especially those like Soto/Acuna/Carroll/Witt who have multiple good seasons.

The power only guys like Alonso & Vlad Jr. don't have as much upside as the guys who are 30/30 threats every year.

Of the guys on the OP's list, I voted for PCA has having the best shot at a good 2026, but he's got to get a better handle on the strike zone and get his OBP over .300. Everyone else on the list is in the "above-average but not a star" zone right now.

I'm going with Chourio based on his age. Next year will be only his age 22 season.

I'll go with Junior because I really like the way hitting 45 home runs in his age 21 season sets him up in the long run, recordswise

The downside for him will be defense, lowish batting average, and questions around his road performance/how he'll do in a big league stadium

Expert analysis of this poll:

Evan Carter is poised to have a monster year in 2026.

Remember when the Jacksons were all the rage on BO? It was only a year ago.

Chourio

Yamamoto

Pitcher is a position

[QUOTE=ThoseBackPages;20091805]Yamamoto

Pitcher is a position[/QUOTE]

Orel Yamamoto is past his hobby peak.

It always cracks me up in these threads hearing about the guys the hobby doesn't care about. It ends up if you are not Shohei or Judge, you are a nobody. Caminero? Nobody cares. J-Rod? Turrible. Soto? An afterthought.

where's Skenes at?

[QUOTE=elontusk1119;20091922]where's Skenes at?[/QUOTE]

Left him and Yamamoto out on purpose because they are pitchers and have already broken out on the field and in the hobby.

Just wanted to get a vibe on the remaining position players.

Other - Hunter Goodman.

What he did last year went unnoticed because of Cal Raleigh and because his team was awful. 30 HR catcher is a good thing in baseball.

Jasson Dominguez will probably never get a chance to break out unless the Yankees trade him.

Elly had a torn quad since July. His numbers pre-injury were stellar. I expect him to come back healthy and repeat that performance.

Chourio - what he has done so far at that age has been amazing.

Caminero had the quietest 45 HR age 21 season ever.

add in Dodgers Ohtani

[QUOTE=sheetskout;20092097]Chourio - what he has done so far at that age has been amazing.[/QUOTE]

He's had a 3.8 WAR season followed by a 2.2 WAR season, with a career OPS+ of 115.

Good.....but not anywhere close to amazing.

[QUOTE=OhioLawyerF5;20092053]Elly had a torn quad since July. His numbers pre-injury were stellar. I expect him to come back healthy and repeat that performance.[/QUOTE]

Elly is one of the most overrated players out there.....career 107 OPS+ and a 3.6 WAR average per 162 games. He just makes a lot of highlight reels because of his stolen bases and occasional long dinger.

[QUOTE=SaveMeTheGum;20092198]Caminero had the quietest 45 HR age 21 season ever.[/QUOTE]

He plays for a losing team in Tampa Bay.....it's a simple as that.....

[QUOTE=mfw13;20092241]He plays for a losing team in Tampa Bay.....it's a simple as that.....[/QUOTE]

If he hits 40+ bombs again this year, he will certainly get more attention, I would imagine, despite being in Tampa.

[QUOTE=mfw13;20091111]

Soto is at 160 and is getting largely ignored by the hobby. Acuna is at 141 for his career (and reached 163 in a half season last year) and is largely ignored.

[/QUOTE]

Acuna and Soto are largely ignored by the hobby??? Which one? The knitting community?

[QUOTE=rwperu34;20091898]It always cracks me up in these threads hearing about the guys the hobby doesn't care about. It ends up if you are not Shohei or Judge, you are a nobody. Caminero? Nobody cares. J-Rod? Turrible. Soto? An afterthought.[/QUOTE]

Right? I'd be ok if I was the only one who cared about Acuna's cards. I'd buy all of them!!!

[QUOTE=comicbooksgo;20092785]Acuna and Soto are largely ignored by the hobby??? Which one? The knitting community?[/QUOTE]

There’s a strong belief on Blowout that unless it’s Judge or Ohtani, all cards are worthless and are basically given away for free. The auctions I bid on disagree.

[QUOTE=mfw13;20092237]Elly is one of the most overrated players out there.....career 107 OPS+ and a 3.6 WAR average per 162 games. He just makes a lot of highlight reels because of his stolen bases and occasional long dinger.[/QUOTE]


highlight reels sell though.

[QUOTE=comicbooksgo;20092785]Acuna and Soto are largely ignored by the hobby??? Which one? The knitting community?[/QUOTE]

Both of their prices have come down significantly from where they were a couple of years ago....in Soto's case, the fact that he's moved around so much has really hurt him, since it's reduced the value of his Padres and Yankees cards.

Also didn't help that neither made the postseason this year.....

[QUOTE=mfw13;20092894]Both of their prices have come down significantly from where they were a couple of years ago....in Soto's case, the fact that he's moved around so much has really hurt him, since it's reduced the value of his Padres and Yankees cards.

Also didn't help that neither made the postseason this year.....[/QUOTE]

I could see either one having a big season next year and their team being in the World Series. If their card prices have dropped a lot, they could be good buy-low candidates.

[QUOTE=mfw13;20091111]There are a lot of "solid" players on that list, but no future superstars.

[B]Junior Caminero had the highest OPS+ at 131, but that's not really enough to move the needle when you've got Judge at 215 and Ohtani at 179. [/B]

Pete Alonso is largely a hobby non-entity with a career OPS+ of 135, as is Vlad Jr. at 136.

Soto is at 160 and is getting largely ignored by the hobby. Acuna is at 141 for his career (and reached 163 in a half season last year) and is largely ignored.

I'd take Bobby Witt Jt. and Corbin Carroll over any of those guys because of their combination of power and speed.[/QUOTE]

a) none of these '24 RC guys are Shohei Ohtani or Aaron Judge. Ever. Period.

b) Juan Soto and Ronald Acuna aren't ignored by the hobby. They're just not Ohtani or Judge.

c) Caminero was 21 for half the season. When Judge was 21 he was 3 years away from debuting with a .179/.263/.345 line. 61 OPS+.

[QUOTE=MiamiMarlinsFan;20092848]There’s a strong belief on Blowout that unless it’s Judge or Ohtani, all cards are worthless and are basically given away for free. The auctions I bid on disagree.[/QUOTE]

Fortunately, Blowout is just a small sliver of the overall collecting community. And over the last 5 years, it's been taken over by all the new Covid flippers and breakers and Facebook Nonsense group members. And who cares what they think.

[QUOTE=mfw13;20092235]He's had a 3.8 WAR season followed by a 2.2 WAR season, with a career OPS+ of 115.

Good.....but not anywhere close to amazing.[/QUOTE]

He did a large part of that before he could drink alcohol legally.

If you don't think that's amazing your expectations are too high - which sometimes happens in this community.

[IMG]https://media4.giphy.com/media/v1.Y2lkPTc5MGI3NjExY3N6NHc2NnJhMDlmNjBpb2h1Y25tanc4M2MwMXY1bXl4N3l4ZjI5eCZlcD12MV9pbnRlcm5hbF9naWZfYnlfaWQmY3Q9Zw/E38xC4gG8DNOdg6NXE/giphy.gif[/IMG]

Probably Elly or Chourio.

Caminero hit a bunch of homers but his overall approach still has a ton of flaws. Could see him falling off a cliff.

[QUOTE=Absknicks;20093528]Probably Elly or Chourio.

Caminero hit a bunch of homers but his overall approach still has a ton of flaws. Could see him falling off a cliff.[/QUOTE]

Caminero is 100th percentile in bat speed, but only 20th percentile in chase rate and squared-up rate -- great raw power, but mediocre plate discipline and bat control.

This is a Hairy level POLE FALE as there are no Red Sox listed

[QUOTE=jlzinck;20093570]This is a Hairy level POLE FALE as there are no Red Sox listed[/QUOTE]

Yes there is.

Red Sox = other.

Sincerely,

MLB

[QUOTE=mfw13;20092235]He's had a 3.8 WAR season followed by a 2.2 WAR season, with a career OPS+ of 115.

Good.....but not anywhere close to amazing.[/QUOTE]

Them's HOF numbers.

[QUOTE=mfw13;20092894]Both of their prices have come down significantly from where they were a couple of years ago....in Soto's case, the fact that he's moved around so much has really hurt him, since it's reduced the value of his Padres and Yankees cards.

Also didn't help that neither made the postseason this year.....[/QUOTE]

Soto is down with the market. That's it. He's still the baseline for young and prime aged players. Ahead of Witt, Skenes, and anybody else under 30. His only problems are Judge and Ohtani. Mainly that Judge refuses to age out.

Moving away from the Yankees is the only thing that has actually hurt his price;

Moving from the Nats to the Padres? No effect. If not a boost due to winning.
Moving from the Padres to the Yankees? Huge boost to his price!
Moving from the Yankees to the Mets? Definitely cost him.

Even that last move might be somewhat muted if the Mets start winning.

[QUOTE=Absknicks;20093528]Probably Elly or Chourio.

Caminero hit a bunch of homers but his overall approach still has a ton of flaws. Could see him falling off a cliff.[/QUOTE]

Elly hit like .220 over last 2 months of season (was one of worst players in baseball for that span) and hit like 3 homers total over last 3 months. Then went like 0-6 with 5 K's in post season.

Even if Junior fell off a cliff it would still be much better then the last 2 months Elly had

Number of players to ever have a 45 HR season under the age of 22:

Junior Caminero age 21
Eddie Mathews age 21

That's the list...

[img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53863940321_d0303027a1.jpg[/img]

:)!

[QUOTE=johnlocke36;20094913]Elly hit like .220 over last 2 months of season (was one of worst players in baseball for that span) and hit like 3 homers total over last 3 months. Then went like 0-6 with 5 K's in post season.

Even if Junior fell off a cliff it would still be much better then the last 2 months Elly had[/QUOTE]

Elly had a torn quad muscle the entire 2nd half. You'll eat your words. :)!

First half Elly is the real Elly.

[QUOTE=Chrominator;20098953][img]https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53863940321_d0303027a1.jpg[/img]

:)![/QUOTE]

I hope you are right for a couple of reasons. I am a huge Cubs fan, and I have a ton of PCA cards.

I too, am in the PCA group. Guy's a throwback to those players I rooted for in the late 80's- mid 90's

Kid's got the stuff

Does Spencer Torkelson apply here? I like him too, to also have a breakout season

[QUOTE=majestik101;20099745]Does Spencer Torkelson apply here? I like him too, to also have a breakout season[/QUOTE]

He's a 2022 rookie. It looked like he might break out last year but fizzled after the break.

I think Chourio has the best chance to pull away from the 2024 pack. He was gimpy part of this season but his numbers only mildly suffered from rookie season. Could be a frequent 30-30 or better type akin to Julio Rodriguez. He might not set the hobby on fire but appears to have a solid future.