One Potential Under-the-Radar, Breakout Postseason Star by Team

With the 2024 MLB postseason nearly upon us, and the 12 berths essentially whittled down to 14 teams, it’s time to start dreaming. Part of that fantasy is looking at under-the-radar, ready-to-emerge postseason stars, which is one of the most fun parts of October every year.

Let’s take a look at all 14 clubs still firmly in the hunt, and one player (with an honorable mention) that could step out into the spotlight when their teams need it most:

AMERICAN LEAGUE

YANKEES

Luke Weaver, RP

This may not come as a shock given Weaver’s sudden ascent to closer. Weaver’s entire season has been a surprise given his previous status as journeyman starter-turned-reliever. He brings energy and emotion and has been New York’s most dependable relief weapon, posting a 6-3 record, 3.02 ERA, and a pair of saves across 59 appearances. Perhaps more impressively, he has allowed just 50 hits in 80.1 innings pitched, and he has recorded more than three outs in 31 of his 59 appearances. Thus, his role may not be relegated to traditional closer, but he could be an Andrew Miller-circa-2016 weapon nonetheless.

Honorable mention: Clarke Schmidt, SP

GUARDIANS

Kyle Manzardo, DH

Manzardo’s numbers have been far from eye-popping since debuting in May, as he was then optioned back to the minors until being re-adding to the roster on September 1. But Manzardo popped his first four career homers since his return. Power is not prominent in Cleveland’s lineup, so Manzardo may just have a few key longballs in his bat come October.

Honorable mention: Cade Smith, RP

ASTROS

Jason Heyward, OF

After being DFA’d by the Dodgers with very underwhelming numbers, the longtime vet and owner of a World Series ring has played well in Houston with two homers and stellar outfield defense in his first 17 games. His veteran leadership is also invaluable, and he could get some meaningful at-bats in the postseason with Houston’s outfield depth in flux after season-ending injuries to Chas McCormick and Ben Gamel.

Honorable mention: Mauricio Dubon, Utility

ORIOLES

Zach Eflin, SP

Well this shouldn’t come as a surprise given Baltimore’s injury-depleted rotation. Eflin has been stellar in eight starts for Baltimore, going 6-2 with a 2.33 ERA at a time when his success is sorely needed. If Grayson Rodriguez cannot return from injury, Eflin is firmly implanted as Baltimore’s No. 2 starter behind Corbin Burnes.

Honorable mention: Ramon Urias, 3B

ROYALS

Yuli Gurriel, 1B

You might be rubbing your eyes and asking yourself what year it is when you see Gurriel’s name, but he has had a sudden renaissance since joining the club in the wake of Vinnie Pasquantino’s injury. At 40 years old, Gurriel is finding the fountain of youth in KC, hitting .385 over his first 10 games. That will not be sustained, of course, but Gurriel has a ton of postseason experience as part of two championship-winning teams in Houston, and has shown himself very capable of holding down the fort until Pasquantino (possibly) returns.

Honorable mention: Brady Singer, SP

TWINS

Matt Wallner, OF

Wallner has quietly had a strong season for Minnesota, batting .260 with 13 homers and 36 RBIs over 70 games. Moreover, he has been incredibly clutch, batting .326 with five homers with runners in scoring position for the season. Though not technically qualified, his .916 OPS also leads the team. For a Minnesota franchise desperately seeking a postseason hero, perhaps Wallner can step up.

Honorable mention: Cole Sands, RP

TIGERS

Will Vest, RP

The Tigers do not have many defined roles in their bullpen, as many different arms have stepped up and had a lot of success during the team’s recent tear to get in prime position to make the postseason. Vest, a hard-throwing righty, had a rough April but has been outstanding since. Though he has the makings of a late-inning reliever, Vest is capable of getting more than three outs, as he’s done that six times in his last 10 outings.

Honorable mention: Zach McKinstry, 2B

NATIONAL LEAGUE

DODGERS

Tommy Edman, Utility

Many Dodger fans in the Twitter-verse have been floating Edman’s name as a postseason hero-in-waiting, and it’s easy to see why. The versatile Edman has had a major impact already since being acquired from St. Louis, playing multiple positions and finding a sudden burst of power with six home runs in his past nine games. In a lineup full of superstars, it may be Edman who steals some of the limelight in October.

Honorable mention: Alex Vesia, RP

PHILLIES

Jeff Hoffman, RP

Hoffman has already become a breakout pitcher this season, but the playoffs will give him a chance to get some national recognition. The Phillies are primarily using Carlos Estevez as their closer, but Hoffman has been their most reliable reliever this season. In 64 games, the former first-round pick has amassed 10 saves while posting a minuscule 1.73 ERA.

Honorable mention: Christopher Sanchez, SP

Brewers

Tobias Myers, SP

Talk about under the radar. Myers has been one of the best starters that no one is talking about, going 8-5 with a 3.07 ERA in his first 23 career starts (24 games overall). For a Brewers team that traded away its ace, Corbin Burnes, last offseason, they need a starter to step up in the postseason, and Myers may just be him.

Honorable mention: Brice Turang, 2B

PADRES

Michael King, SP

On the theme of starting pitchers, King could be a key part of the Padres’ playoff success. San Diego’s strength is generally seen as its bullpen, so the need for strong starts is magnified to avoid taxing said bullpen. King, acquired last offseason as part of the Juan Soto trade, can be nasty at times and his overall numbers are very good. He is 12-9 with a 3.04 ERA over 168.2 IP, allowing just 7.5 hits per 9 IP and 10.6 K/9. King continuing that pace could go a long way towards the Friars making a deep postseason run.

Honorable mention: Jeremiah Estrada, RP

DIAMONDBACKS

Eugenio Suarez, 3B

Suarez has been flat-out one of the hottest hitters in baseball in the second half. The Diamondbacks are by far the highest-scoring team in baseball, and Suarez has been a big part of that by hitting .313 with 18 homers since the All-Star break. Suarez was not part of the Arizona’s World Series team last year but could contribute to another appearance if he continues his torrid run.

Honorable mention: Pavin Smith, 1B

METS

David Peterson, SP

Peterson’s 9-2 record and team-leading 2.85 ERA have been a revelation for the Mets. The rotation has fueled a big second-half run by the Mets, and the southpaw Peterson could be a real weapon in October, especially against potential big lefty bats like Shohei Ohtani or Bryce Harper.

Honorable mention: Jesse Winker, OF

BRAVES

Ramon Laureano, OF

Laureano has quietly posted some strong numbers for a Braves team starved for some offense in the wake of injuries to Ronald Acuna, Austin Riley, and Ozzie Albies. Laureano is hitting .299 with seven homers in 57 games with Atlanta, and also possesses one of the strongest outfield arms in baseball.

Honorable mention: Dylan Lee, RP