2024 Active Rosters: Virgo
There’s no question that Virgo’s strength comes from its infield, with 40-40 threat Jose Ramirez and World Series MVP Freddie Freeman at the corners. Options for the up the middle / DH rotation include Marcus Semien, Willy Adames, Carlos Correa (when healthy), and Jeremy Pena. Backups for the corner spots include former MVP Paul Goldschmidt and low batting average slugger Max Muncy. If you include catcher in the infield, I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that Yainer Diaz has the most offensive upside of any Virgo catcher since Mike Piazza.
Jarren Duran had a breakout season in Boston, but his center field eligibility going forward is dubious, due to the presence of defensive whiz Ceddanne Rafaela (coincidentally, another Virgo). The corner outfield spots are set with solid performers who both ended the season in Cleveland: contact specialist Steven Kwan and occasional center fielder Lane Thomas. George Springer is the legacy option for the backup spot, but Tigers DH Kerry Carpenter and youngster James Wood have the higher upside. The versatility of Matt Vierling is great to round out the roster.
If Virgo had its full healthy pitchering staff in 2024, I think they would have run away with the league easily. Gerrit Cole, the defending AL Cy Young Award winner, missed a big chunk of the season, and was not as sharp as usual upon his return. Tyler Glasnow was the opposite: he started out strong, but the Dodgers’ third-highest profile offseason acquisition found himself injured just before the playoffs. Shota Imanaga exceeded expectations by pitching like an ace after coming over from Japan, but imagine if he could take the mound for Game 3.
Also recall that former NL CYA winner Sandy Alcantara and Orioles 2023 breakout Kyle Bradish both essentially had entirely lost seasons. There were other Virgo starters who stepped up, namely Bryce Miller on Seattle, Ronel Blanco in Houston (including a no-hitter), and Ranger Suarez for the Phillies… at least in the first half. Add solid arms like David Peterson in Queens, and Blanco’s Astros teammate Hunter Brown, and this looks like a deep and scary rotation mix.
Just prior to this writing A’s closer Mason Miller was snubbed for the American League Rookie of the Year award, in favor of Luis Gil, a Gemini pitcher who threw 86 more innings on the year. Actually, looking at the standings, Miller finished rather far down in the standings, also behind Colton Cowser (Aries) and Austin Wells (Cancer). Either way, if Devin Williams returns healthy next year, it’s possible that Miller won’t even be the best reliever in the Virgo bullpen.