Top 5 Comeback Players to Look Forward to in the 2022 MLB Season
The 2021 season was a season with many question marks due to the pandemic. We weren’t sure if there would even be a season. The players had to adapt from a shortened season with many challenges put in place. As expected in 2021, we had seen a few players have a down year. From injuries, pressure to produce, and challenges with the pandemic, these five players just didn’t impress. However, despite having a lackluster 2021 season, these listed players, in no particular order, have a great chance of bouncing back.
1. Gleyber Torres
Yankees 2B Gleyber Torres via CBS Sports
Gleyber Torres was brought to the Bronx during the 2016 season, when the Yankees decided to trade CP Aroldis Chapman. When the Bombers decided to trade Chapman, Torres was the main piece as he was, at the time, baseball’s 27th best prospect according to Baseball America. Gleyber’s best season in pinstripes was the 2019 season when he batted .278 with a .871 OPS while launching 38 HR. Gleyber looked like the next great Yankee. Fast forward two years, he hasn’t been impressive by any means. Entering his age 25 season, Torres is extremely young and has plenty of time to show some promise again. Toward the end of 2021, Torres was moved from SS to 2B and it just might have bought him some more time. Instantly, Gleyber showed improvement offensively and defensively. Torres is not a SS and it finally was shown to the front office.
2. Cody Bellinger
Dodgers OF Cody Bellinger via Dodgers Way
Cody Bellinger had a historic 2019 season. He won NL MVP, a Silver Slugger, a Gold Glove, and was selected to the all-star game. He slashed a .305 BA with a 1.035 OPS all while slugging 47 HR. Once 2020 came, we all thought with the acquisition of Mookie Betts, it would take some pressure off Bellinger but seemed to just put more on him. He declined in 2020 but still had a solid season. Slashing a .239 BA with a .788 OPS while slugging 12 HR. Then came 2021. Cody had a horrendous season with a .165 BA, a .542 OPS, and 10 HR. The one promise out of the 2021 season for Bellinger is the postseason. He showed life batting .353, with a .907 OPS, and 7 HR. With this glimpse of light in the postseason, Bellinger should have a much better 2022 season.
3. Trevor Story
Free Agent SS Trevor Story via MLB.com
Trevor Story has been SS of the Rockies for the last six years and has had one below average year. The worst part for Story is that, that one down year comes in his contract year. In 2021, Trevor slashed a .251 BA, a .800 OPS, and 24 HR. Although he did have a down year, Story had five great seasons with Colorado. Story reached 100 HR quicker than any other SS while adding two Silver Slugger awards and two all-star appearances. Touching back on his contract year, Story will still get a nice pay day. All signs point to a bounce back and an instant impact to whichever team he signs with.
4. Francisco Lindor
Mets SS Francisco Lindor via NJ.com
Francisco Lindor was traded to the New York Mets in early 2021. A few months later, Lindor signed a 10-year $341 million extension. In his first year in Queens, he put together a .230 BA and a .734 OPS while launching 20 HR. It wasn’t what the Mets fully expected after giving out $341 million to their SS of the future. In his last full year with Cleveland, Lindor slashed a .284 BA, .854 OPS, and 32 HR. Lindor just seemed to let a lot of the New York pressure get to him but it’s not something we should be getting used to seeing. Lindor is still a superstar caliber SS with full expectations of bouncing back.
5. Aaron Nola
Phillies RHP Aaron Nola via 6ABC.com
Aaron Nola once owned the title of ace on the Phillies pitching staff. That was until Philadelphia went out and signed free agent pitcher, Zack Wheeler. Nola had a CY Young caliber season in 2018. He composed an impressive 2.37 ERA with 224 SO in 212.1 IP. Since that breakout season, Nola hasn’t been quite the same. He’s shown glimpse of hope here and there but hasn’t been consistent. Although we most likely will not see Nola return to that form, he could still be a very solid number two or three in a pitching rotation. Nola throws a fastball, curve, change, and a sinker. With Nola heavily relying on his fastball, it tends to bite him a lot. If Nola would use his curve and sinker more, he could turn into a solid groundball pitcher. With a few changes to his pitch selection as well as being more patient, Nola will shut down any questions of being a quality starter.