In the 162-game marathon that is the MLB season, two weeks of games don’t provide a ton of data, and there is still a long way to go. But with most teams having completed 12 or so contests, some performances have begun to stand out.
Here are five things that have caught my attention through the first two weeks of the regular season:
1. Aaron Judge might hit 60 homers again
It’s no secret that Judge is on his way to being the best hitter of this generation. And in a day and age when there is no more Barry Bonds, he might be the closest thing to it. Judge has been locked in to start this season, leading MLB in OPS and tied for the lead in homers, with six.
After Judge started 2024 slowly but still finished the season with 58 homers, a 1.158 OPS and his second AL MVP Award, you wonder just how great a season could be in store if he keeps up his current pace all season.
Judge has hit at least 52 homers in every season in which he played at least 150 games. He has proven to be an offensive juggernaut, so if he can stay healthy, we’re likely to see another historic season from the Yankees captain.
2. Wilyer Abreu is the Red Sox’s best player
The Red Sox finally had an offseason that their fan base could be proud of. Boston added third baseman Alex Bregman and starter Garrett Crochet to a lineup that already had All-Stars Jarren Duran and Rafael Devers. Yet the player who has come into 2025 and made the biggest impact is right fielder Wilyer Abreu.
Abreu had a solid rookie showing in 2024, slashing .253/.322/.459 with 15 homers and finishing sixth in AL Rookie of the Year balloting. And it wasn’t just his offense that stood out; it was his defense as well. The Venezuelan right fielder owns one of the best arms in baseball and won the AL Gold Glove Award for right fielders last year.
This season, Abreu has started on a heater, with an OPS over 1.200, three homers, three doubles and nine walks. Not only does the Red Sox’s right fielder look more comfortable at the plate, but also his bat definitely has a little more juice. With Boston having several talented prospects knocking on the door of the big leagues, Abreu isn’t letting his opportunities slip ...
