7 MLB players who proved the critics wrong in 2024 ft. Chris Sale

One of the main reasons MLB fans love this sport is its unpredictable nature. Heading into the 2024 season, several experts and analysts dove into the numbers, schedules and rosters to predict how well players would perform.

Well, it goes without saying that as much info as there is out there, baseball continues to surprise fans and experts alike. 2024 was no different as many players came out of nowhere to defy the odds and projections some made for them. From surprise award winners to shocking disappointments, the 2024 MLB season had plenty of players who defied their expectations, for better or worse.

Here's a closer look at 7 MLB players who proved their critics wrong

#1 - Chris Sale

Arguably, no MLB player has proven his critics more wrong than Chris Sale. Despite being one of the best pitchers of his generation, injuries have plagued him in recent seasons, and there was little optimism that his offseason trade to the Atlanta Braves would change things.

Well, Sale was one of the best pitchers in 2024, winning the first Cy Young Award in the process.

#2 - Jurickson Profar

Jurickson Profar has had his fair share of critics throughout his career so far. The former top prospect has been wildly inconsistent at times, and it appeared that 2024 would be no different. Not only did Profar show why scouts were so high on him as a young player, but he completely shattered any expectations set out for him and set new career highs in nearly every category.

#3 - Jack Flaherty

Early in his career, Jack Flaherty looked on track to become one of the best pitchers in MLB. However, things started to fall off in recent years. This is why there was little buzz about him joining the Detroit Tigers in 2024, however, Flaherty proved everyone that wrote him off wrong.

Flaherty looked like an ace again and even went on to win the World Series with the Los Angeles Dodgers after being acquired at the trade deadline.

#4 - Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

In 2021, it looked like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. was poised to become a perennial MVP candidate. However, he struggled to reach the same heights in the two seasons that followed.

While he remained an elite talent, it looked like his dominant '21 was a bit of an apparition. That being said, Vladdy silenced everyone by posting a world-class .323 batting average with 30 home runs in 2024.

#5 - Giancarlo Stanton

It's safe to say that expectations for Giancarlo Stanton have been tempered in recent seasons, with injuries and underperforming seemingly becoming a regular occurrence.

These criticisms continued throughout the 2024 MLB regular season, however Stanton proved all his haters wrong when he turned into a playoff monster. Stanton slugged seven homers in the playoffs, earning the ALCS MVP.

#6 - Luis Severino

Another pitcher who looked like his best days were behind him entering 2024 was Luis Severino. The two-time MLB All-Star joined the New York Mets last offseason, and there were minimal expectations that he would be able to turn back the clock. Well, the 30-year-old did just bounce back in a considerable way after a disastrous 2023 campaign. This even led to him signing a three-year, $67 million deal with the Athletics.

#7 - Shohei Ohtani

It may sound ridiculous to say that some believed there was no way that Shohei Ohtani could live up to the considerable hype placed on him after joining the Los Angeles Dodgers. He had everything working against him as he was recovering from serious elbow surgery. Ohtani proved again why he is one of the best by becoming the first player in history to record a 50-50 season.